Horowhenua Power Board

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 47, 25 February 1938, Page 3

Horowhenua Power Board

FEBRUARY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board was held at Levin on Tuesday. There were present: Messrs G. A. Monk (chairman), W. Barber, C. S. Keedwell, T. G. Vincent, R. O. Hornblow, A. E. Hyde, F. W. Vickerman, A. Seifert and D. Richards. Also Messrs J. A. Smith (engineer) and F. J. Ramsay (treasurer). Concrete Power Poles. Some few months ago the board set up a committee consisting of the chairman and Messrs Seifert, Keedwell and Hyde to gather information in regard to the manufacture and suitability of concrete poles. Mr. Hyde reported that he had recently visited Hawera, in company with the engineer, and had. inspected the manufacture of concrete poles, as it was being carried out by the South Taranaki Electric Power Board. They had seen a pole manufactured, and the board had given them all the information possible about the process. Two men were employed in the work, and with a well thought out plant they were manufacturing about five poles per day. The cost on the figures ’iey j had been given was below that of wooden poles, while they were approximately the same weight. The poles were placed under a test and withstood ali ordinary requirements. The plant had cost the Taranaki Board about £4OO and they had been using concrete poles for some time. Continuing, Mr. Hyde said he had arrived at the conclusion that the board’s engineer possessed all the information it was possible to get on the subject, and the board should now decide if it would use concrete poles, and if it would manufacture them or call tenders. He was satisfied that the v7orst concrete pole would give service as long as the best wooden pole, and thought that they could be manufactured by the board. Mr. Richards expressed the opinion that the board should manufacture its own poles. He suggested that consideration be given to establishing a plant at Otaki, because sand and metal was available in large quantities and it v ould be more economical. On the suggestion of tho chairman, the board decided that the special committee give consideration to the matter, now that all the details were available. Treasurer’s Review. The treasurer gave a comparative review of the revenue earned for the period ended January 31st, which showed the following increases or decreases;

Total £954 “It will be seen from the above statement that there ha‘s been a very substantial increase in the revenue earned. The net increase in electricity sales has increased from £491 reported last month, to £954, the increase of £463 being accounted for chiefly by the inclusion of the week-end accounts, the comparative figures for which are:— 1938: 214,382 units, £2664 revenue; 1937: 172,070 units, £2297 |revenue; Increase: 42,312 units, £367 revenue. In this connection I would I mention that each year a number of the larger consumers arrange to have their accounts changed to the permanent rate so that the actual increase is considerably larger than that shown in the above figures. “The ‘ week-end’ accounts were posted at the end of January, and it is pleasing to report that since that date there lias been a steady flow of payments from these consumers. Practically half the accounts have been paid although the final dato of payment is not until 28th February. Sundry Debtors: Current accounts, £2677; hire purchase accounts, £5847; total, £8524. The current accounts show a slight decrease on the amount shown last month, whilst the amount under hire purchase accounts has increased by £74 owing to further sales. The report was received. The chairman expressed the opinion that tho financial position was quite satisfactory. Mr. Monk said he had been given a note by the treasurer, which showed that while the sale of electrical units for domestic purposes had increased by 26.3 per’ cent., the revenue from the same source had decreased by 1.45 per cent. That showed liow satisfactory the concessions made by the board had been to the consumers. Engineer’s Report. The engineer submitted the following report covering the period from January 19th to February 16th:— “During the period 29 new service lines have been run, four existing services converted to three phase, two existing services extended, and two temporary services put in. One hundred and seven poles have been fitted and erected, and 905 chains of wire run on E.H.T. and L.T. lines. Three outdoor sub-stations have been erected, and an existing sub-station strengthened and altered. The extension of the Opiki and Poplar Grove lines to serve the Opuhi Block, has been completed, and is now ready to be put into service. Extra phases have been run on existing poles at Manakau, also heavier cables have been run. Temporary lighting was erected at the Levin racecourse for the annual A. and P. Show, and the Levin main street coloured lighting removed. General maintenance has been fairly heavy during the month, due to severe gales, and attention has had to be given to poles in the Paraparaumu and Makerua districts on account of fires.

* ‘ Installations:-—During the period 13 applications have been received from new consumers and 17 for extensions to existing installations included

in which are nine ranges, eight waterlieaters, one milking, three pumping, and six industrial motors. Twelve new consumers and 64 extensions to existing installations have been connected, included in which are seven ranges, ten water-heaters, three milking, four industrial and five pumping motors. The total increase to the connected load is 153.178 K.W. The report was received, the chairman commenting on the large number of new installations.

Increase or Decrease Units. Amt. Domestic Supply and Week-end 493742 —287 Domestic Waterheating +582 +295 Commercial: Light and Heat Waterheating 103811 96568 +121 + 91 +561 — 60 Street Lighting Guarantee + 22 694121 +830 Less Discounts —124 —