Great Progress By N.A. Power Board During Five Years

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1941, Page 7

Great Progress By N.A. Power Board During Five Years

“TN THE SPACE OF FIVE YEARS THIS BOARD HAS RISEN TO AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN THE ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY OF THIS COUNTRY. “In the course of another few years, and given anything like normal times, I think the magnitude of the operations of Northland will pass on to make comparisons with a group of the largest power boards of the Dominion.” These comments were made at the annual meeting of -the'North Auckland Electric-power Board at Dargaville yesterday by the engineer (Nr. T. R. Overton) in his annual report.

“Although new work has not reached the figures of previous years, expansion of the board’s business and new consumption has not dropped,” he stated. “This is mainly due to increases upon old lines built since 1936. The fact that the board has a tendency to reduce rather than increase its selling prices for elecirlciiy lias inspired a good deal of confidence throughout the district.

of New Zealand, main sub-stations will have to be doubled in capacity. “The consumption of power in this board’s district, discloses steady increases, the figures being:

Electricity Firm

“Cne can hardly mention a commodity today that has not steeply risen in price during the past two years. Electricity has remained firm, and so long as technical and financial solidarity is maintained, despite the increased costs the board's activities have been subject to in materials, wages and restrictions, progress and prosperity must come the board’s way.” To illustrate the board’s progress the engineer submitted comparisons 'with six other boards in a similar class to the North Auckland Board. These boards constituted the second largest group in the Dominion from the point of view of purchase and sale of electricity, he stated.

Constructional Work

“The main extensions were completed at Windy Hill, Red Hill, Bassett’s Block, Avoca, Tokatoka-Mangapai Road, Hukatere, Pahi, Mangapai, Opuawhanga, Puhipuhi, Riponui and Tanekaha. Many small line extensions, both of high and low tension, were erected in nearly all parts of the district.

“The total route miles of lines constructed was 114 miles 14 chains, compared with 190 miles 34 chains for the preceding 12 months, the decrease being due to the well-known causes of depleted staff and late deliveries of materials from overseas. “It is estimated that the bulk of the constructional work during the current year will be done at Tangaihi, Parua Bay, Takahiwai, Waipu, Mangakahia, Whananaki, Springfield, Otaikarangi, Kaihu, Mangawai, and Parahi. There will be a number of small extensions as in previous years all over the district, but the governing factor will, I presume, be the situation of our country as caused by the war. Substations, Transformers “The supply of transformers caused some serious concern during the year, but like other difficulties seems to have passed by. “The most important sub-station erected during the year was at. Maungatapere, of 1000 k.v.a. capacity, and is additional to the above 1915 k.v.a. The function of this transformer is to link the board’s system with Messrs. Wilson’s Portland Cement Comp pany with transformation voltages of 11,000 to 22,000. This interconnection of the two systems serves the very important purpose of exchanging supplies of electric power when such is necessary, and throughout the dry seasons applies power to the cement works. >.£■.. Land And Buildings ‘*rhe most important addition in land and buildings consisted of an extension to the workshop store and offices at the Dargaville depot. The accommodation was very much overtaxed and the additional space has provided a much needed want.

The statistics of these boards for the past year were not available but the figures for the past year in Northland were given, making it apparent that the board’s operations were settling down and substantially getting into line with those of older and quite successful undertakings. Figures Compared

Averages for the six boards compared with North Auckland to March 31, 1940, were as follows. North Auckland figures for 1941 being given in paren-, theses.—

Capital outlay: Other boards’ average £397,633, North Auckland £267,065 (£308,831); capital outlay per £1 of revenue, £5.22, £4.90 (£4.39); number of consumers, 5743, 3747 (4282); maximum load, 3963, 2318 (2995 k.w.); units purchased and cost of power. 12,917,904, £18,797 (18.920,526, £25,444); cost per unit, ,320 d, .349 d (,323d); total units sold. 11,314,899. (16,574,380); revenue per unit sold, .936 d, 1.155 d (1.019 d); net revenue from sales of electricity, £76,509, £54,463 (£70,311); route miles of line, 755, 627 (742); revenue per route mile, £109.80, £86.86 (£94.8); revenue per k.w. of maximum demand. £19.81. £23.50 (£23.45); working cost and management. £18,421, £8471 (£10,139); percentage net revenue to capital outlay, 19.28, 20.40 (22.75). Selling Rates

“At different times some discussion has taken place in regard to the charges for electricity in Northland as compared with those in other districts, and I have, therefore, taken out the selling rates for the same boards, continued the report.

“At Maungaturoto the section purchased has been filled with spoil from the house section. Before building, a small store and garage thereon, the filling is being allowed to settle down. Development, Installations

“Using these figures, I have taken a farm account at random from our lists with a consumption of 16 units for lighting, heating 20, cooking 80, milking 100. A net bill has been made out under each rate and although at first sight one would expect considerable differences, upon making actual comparisons one is agreeably surprised with the position.” The comparison was:

“The period under review has again shown satisfactory increases in the number of appliances and new installations connected to the board’s system. This board’s returns show a well balanced position and above Dominion averages as well. It has.taken from 10 to 20 years longer in the majority of

“I don’t think it can be said that consumers in this area arc severely treated,” continued the engineer. “In some of the districts under comparison it has taken many years to reach the selling charges they have in force today.

power districts to obtain the wellspread earning power that has already been attained in this, district. Practically all of the electrical consuming appliances used today are now manufactured in the Dominion, and from observations made, it seems that the local factories are gradually producing better articles.”

Power Supply

“Very few minor interruptions in supply from Arapuni have taken place, and this, I think, reflects credit upon the engineers of the Public Works Department. Pre-arranged shut-downs have been found necessary but in all cases they have not embarrassed the board’s consumers. v

Shows New Light

The engineer concluded by thanking the board for the consideration shown to the staff and himself during the

year. The report was adopted and Mr. J. A. S. Mac Kay thanked the engineer for a report which he said would be of value and assistance to the members in the study of the board’s problems. ‘‘lt puts a new light on matters which have been exercising the minds of members,” he commented.

“During the three longest interruptions of five hours each, power was purchased from Wilson’s Portland Cement Company and transmitted to points at Kamo and Hikurangi, where it was essentially required. From time to time various official statements have appeared from the Public Works Department, and it is satisfactory to note from these, that the third unit of 20,000 k.w. is in operation at Waikaremoana, and that it is expected to commence the installation of two additional 21,000 k.w. machines at Arapuni this year. “A very important work is that at Lake Taupo which will provide a regulated flow of the'Waikato River. Seasonal supplies of water will be conserved and released as. and when it is uniformly required for the generation of electrical' power. “The new station at Karapiro, near Cambridge, is some years away from completion and it is quite possible that shortages to provide power for extensions to new and old consumers will be felt before relief can be expected from that station.

Expansion in North “Circumstances such as these arising out of present world conditions must. I think, be taken as cheerfully as possible and with burdens fairly distributed., “Coming nearer home I think the Government will have realised by now, as this board has done, that electrical expansion in Northland is agreeably surprising.

“In the very near future, a second transmission line to serve the North will be necessary, ancUeven in quicker time than in other parts

Supply Authority. 16 units/mth. 5 rooms Lighting. Central Waikato 4/34 Franklin 6/Poverty Bay 6/Wairarapa 4/11 Ashburton 8/2 South Canterbury .. 6/North Auckland 8/44

Per- Maximum Percentage Peak centage Year Units In- Demand InEnding. Purchased. crease, k.v.a. crease. 31/3/38 .. 2.432,702 755 31/3/39 7,102,240 81.8 2543 49.5 31/3/40 . . 12,917,904 81.8 2543 49.5 31/3/41 . . 18,920,526 46.4 3184 24.8

100 units/mth. 20-H. 80-C. 100 units/mth. Net Domestic. Milking Total. 13/m 19/9?, £1 18 0 7/6 18/9 £1 12 3 14/7 22/11 £2 3 6 12/3 16/8 £1 13 10 23/1 25/£2 16 3 14/4 23/4 £2 3 8 12/9 '24/41 £2 5 6