Power Board’s Load Increasing

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 188, 11 August 1936, Page 9

Power Board’s Load Increasing

NOW PAST 5000 K.V.A. MARK

Electricity purchased by tho Mana-watu-Oroua Power Board during tho last quarter amounted to 5340 k.v.u., this being the first timo that the board has passed the 5000 k.v.a mark, in reporting this information to tho board yesterday, tho engineer (Mr W. A. Waters) attributed the increase to stormy and cold weather early in May, causing lighting and radiator load to clash with milking industry loads. The corresponding loud for tlic same quarter last year was 4530 k.v.a., when Palmorston North took 1972 k.v.a., whereas this year in the samo quarter tho city took 23SG. “This phenomenal demand slackened off after wo lost the milking load for the season, and it is highly probable that the net revenuo will suffer in consequence," Mr Waters added. ‘ ‘During tho month tho staff havo been kept going at top pressure with extra temporary men to copo with the new work required, and it has been difficult to get material fast enough. For example, in the last two months, we have received about 250 Australian poles, and haven’t got more than 30 left, until the new shipment arrives. I had to borrow 4-ton of copper wire off tho Horowhenua Power Board, and three miles for an urgent 56 chain cowshed Service from the Wanganui-Rangi-tikei Power Board to tiao us over until further stocks arrived, of urgent cabled orders to Australia. In addition, I purchased all the bare copper cable available in Wellington last week. Any further extensions not yet started may have to wait about two or three months, until wet get further supplies of poles and material. “Not for several years past havo we had such a demand for material, and as an example, 15 miles of cable ordered specially for the Linton replacement work was used up for usual extensions elsevrihere. Seven tons of copper cable arrived this week from Australia and a further seven tons are on order, the bulk of which is ear-marked for actual work in sight, under construction or to replace cable kindly loaned by a neigh bouring board."