ELECTRICAL WORKS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2646, 15 May 1923, Page 9

ELECTRICAL WORKS.

NEWS OF THE MONTH. The following interesting "pars" relating to activity concerning electric works of other districts are embodied in Mr W. A. Water's (engineer to Manawatu-Oroua Electric Power Board) news of the month presented at yesterday's Board meeting:— Mr E. Parry, engincer-in-chief of the English Electric Co., formerly chief electric engineer of Public Works Department, is in New Zealand.

Mr Kissel, assistant chief engineer of the hydro branch of Public Works Department, has returned from a 12 months' tour of America, England, Sweden, Germany, etc., where he was sent to investigate what tiros.? countries are doing with regard to hydro development. A big hydro scheme on the Snowy River, New South Wales, is receiving attention at present. The coal strike will probably show in Australia that a coal station is often in a precarious condition for supplies. Public Works Department are now considering tenders for switchgear for Bunythorpe, Master-ton, Dannevirke, etc.

Hutt "Valley Power Board (last meeting). The engineer, Mr Toogood, reported that the cost of the steel poles was prohibitive, being at least £7 6/ against £3 for hardwood! Tenders are to be called for hardware poles as early as possible. It was decided to request the Government to guarantee the Board a "maximum demand" of 1200 K.V.A., for domestic purposes and 800 K.V.A. for industrial purposes, the Board to guarantee to take 30 per cent, the first year, 50 per cent, the "second, 60 per cent, the third, SO per cent, the fourth, and the whole amount the fifth year provided that the Board was given a reasonable time. to arrange contracts for the industrial load.

Newspaper cutting of the meeting of Thames Valley Power Board, as follows: —The Public Works Department, replying to the Board, advised that it had already been noted 'that "maximum load" was already 1200 K.V.A., as compared with 000 K.V.A. provided for in the contract. "In view of the extension now in hand at Horahora," the letter continued, "by which the plant capacity will be increased b,y 4000 K.W., it is not desired to restrict the supply to your Board. In fact, it is desirable to build up the load as much as possible in advance in anticipation of Arapuni power coming in later on, and I am prepared to increase the allocation of your Board from 000 to 1500 K.V.A., and from the date of completion of the extensions now in hand at Horahora." The Board's engineer' explained that the department expected to have the extended plant running either at the end of this year or early next year.

The cutlers in tlie bush get 25/ .each pole for the 35 feet', 12in. butt, Sin. top, the balance of cost to us 68/6, is swallowed up in freights to Newcastle, wharfage arid loading in and out of Newcastle, and freight to New %i>"iland and a little profit. Two cutters in Wingham who are experts with the axe. can sap 3 poles a day. The average is about 2 to 21 for usual cutters. A proposal has been mooted by a consulting engineer to several New Zealand Power P.oards to appoint a permanent inspector in Australia and cut out Forestry Department's inspection.

Ohakune ratepayers authorised a loan of £II,OOO to instal a new hydro scheme, as the present one is overloaded.