Electric Power

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 11, 14 January 1936, Page 3

Electric Power

MEETING OF MANAWATUOROUA BOARD

When the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board met yesterday tnere wero present Messrs C. G. C. Dermer (chairman), J. A. Nash, M. A. Eliott, W. McKay, J. H. Mason, P. G. Guy, W. P. Bickers, W. G. Shannon, N. Campbell, J. Boyce and E. O. Bond. Mr J. Hodgcns, M.P., was absent, being with the Minister of Public Works in the South Island. Ho forwarded an apology and was granted leave. Statement of Accounts The managing-secretary, Mr K. W. Eglinton, reported as follows: — Installations and sales, —Tho collections for the month amounted to £3/2 0s 9d; the amount outstanding is £4044 Is lid. Sales of current. —Total for eight mouths, 1935-30, £52,800 5s Gd; total for eight months, 1934-35, £50,228 15s Gd; increase, £2571 10s.

The increase in tho December readings compared with last year amounted to £331 7s Bd. The increase is accounted for by the increase in consumption in the domestic load.

Bank balances.—Power Fund ac count, £8460 4s 7d; loan account, £ls 0s lOd,

Monthly Report

The board’s chief engineer (Mr W A. Waters) reported as follows: General. —During the month the lines gangs have been engaged on various works as under: A truck load of silver pino poles which arrived enabled us to complete the work in hand at Valley road, and the extension of a 3300-volt line at Junction road. Alt the prospective consumers on these extensions have been given a supply. At Karewarewa four spans of 400-vott line were run to supply a milking motor. The usual festoon illumination work was also carried out for the festive season. The lines up the Pohangina valley were patrolled and trees cut where necessary. The line was taken out of service for half an hour to change four broken 11,000-volt insulators near the Beehive creek, as it was imperative that they be replaced at once. An alteration was made at Raumai for the route of a telephone line to get it clear of our lines. A transformer and platform were erected at Taikorea and the 400-volt lines rearranged to suit the growing load. Necessary maintenance was carried out in many parts of the area, including the lopping of dangerous branches off the trees and the necessary notices served to tho owners. Owing to growth of load Messrs Borthwick's, Ltd., changed their main switch to a larger size, and at the same time we altered our metering equipment by installing the nest larger size of current transformers. New consumers. —The following were given a supply during tho month: Lighting and heating, 15; motors for milking, 4; ranges, 5; water heaters, 6; industrial motors (motors changed in factories to larger sizes), 3; temporary motors, etc. (installation of 55 k.v.a. of welders and concrete mixers, etc.), 9; other motors, 21; additions to existing installations, 44; total, 107. A resolution on the books reducing the guarantee on the Waiata and Valley road lines from 15 per cent, to 12} per cent, for 8 years, was rescinded. It was stated by Mr McKay that when the lines were canvassed it was on the basis of 12} per cent, for five years.

Mr Guy advanced the opinion that the board should give consideration to an insurance scheme for its employees to provide for hospital and medical expenses -when sick. He asked members to ■ give it thought.