Bay Power Board Reticulation Progressing

Northern Advocate, 14 November 1941, Page 2

Bay Power Board Reticulation Progressing

[Special to “Northern Advocate"! KAIKOHE, This Day. “Owing to the scarcity of suitable trans-Tasman shipping', there is a general shortage of hardwood poles throughout New Zealand,” said the engineer (Mr. L. Mandeno) reporting to the Bay of Islands Power Board. “Up to the present the board’s stocks have held well, but we have become somewhat exercised about the pending shortages in certain sizes. “The board’s suppliers have poles cut and awaiting shipment on the other side, but for the last four months it has frequently been a case of hope deferred. However, we have kept closely in touch with the position and are advised that there is a reasoable prospect of a shipment arriving this month. “We have asked that the sizes of which we are shortest should be included in the first shipment. Under present conditions the poles must come into Auckland and will be transhipped up the coast. Mangonui County “A gang of seven men transferred from Kaikohe has been employed on erection of a short high tension branch in the vicinity of Pamapuria School. The main gang has completed work in Mangonui, Taipa and Oruaiti, and has now been transferred to Duncan’s Road. “Work in the' latter area has been organised so as to make best use of the pole-erecting plant before it is required to be despatched to the P. and T. Department at Takapuna. With the exception of 10 poles, all poles between Fairburns and Kaingaroa on the main line have been fitted and stood in their holes. I “The Pekerau Road also has been similarly poled, giving a total of 12 miles, which will keep the gang busy while the machine is away, and it is hoped to liven up as far as Kaingaroa before Christmas. Two hundred and four poles were carted out, and the following lines completed: “High tension—Mangonui, 5 miles 50 chains; Oruru, 24 chains; Pamapuria, 60 chains. “Low tension —Pamapuria, 42 chains; Mangonui, 99 chains; Kaitaia, 2S chains. , “The above comprised miles of conductor; in addition, 49 services were erected, 16 transformer structures were erected, 18 earth banks installed, 22 lightning arrestors fitted and various line requirements constructed in the deoot. Twentyseven men are engaged on line work in this county. Bay cf Islands “Only four men remain in the county at present. On the Tc Pua Road a high tension extension of 86 chains and 93 chains of low tension, comprising a total of 184 chains of conductor was erected. In addition 17 services were erected, two transformer structures built, eight transformers changed, whilst on the main line Kaikohe to Pakaraka, gorse and trees were cleared as necessary. “Fourteen and threequarter miles of line were pegged in the Duncan’s Road area. Morphett’s and Matthews’ extension remain to be surveyed. Canvassing And Inspection “Isolated eonvassing has been undertaken and the canvass of Maori settlers in the California, Peria, Pukepoto areas attended to. Details of the latter have jbeen submitted to the Native Department, | and the Registrar in Auckland promises every assistance in facilitating the electrification of the 12 cowsheds which are included. That canvass of Fryer’s Road has been started, and it is hoped that results will be available for the meeting. Group Wiring “Both Electric Supplies and the McKay Electric Company have been fullv enraged in cleaning up private jobs, but have promised to start: on the Duncan’s RoadKaingaroa groups this week.

Sub-station Demand . “Units received: Kaikohe, 263,075; Kaitaia, 195,825; Kerikeri, 60,500. "Maximum demand: Kaikohe, 571 k.v.a.; Kaitaia, 448 k.v.a.; Kerikeri, 91 k.v.a. "For the week ending October 26. the units purchased from the Government totalled 115,925. Bulk Supply “The long-sought-for regulating equipment is expected to be installed in each of the sub-stations during the current month, after which we anticipate considerably improved service during peak load hours. Supply Interruptions “The breakdown of an isolating switch caused the interruption of supply in Mangonui Countv on October 23 between 5.12 p.m and 6.03 n.m. In the Mataraua district two h.t. sectional fuses were blown during an electrical storm at night and were replaced promptly on notification next morning. On October 28 a defective sleeve joint of an h.t. conductor in the Okaihau area caused an interruption at 4.48 a.m. in the Bay County. In consequence. supply was intermittent on some sections of the county until 9 a.m. New Whangaroa Feeder “An essential link in the ultimate scheme of reticulation of the Bay of Islands County is that portion of the through line to Whangaroa between Kaikohe sub-station and the switching station on Remuera Block where the present through line to Kerikeri takes off from the Ohaeawai-Okaihau line. “It iiad been honed to delay the erection of this line until after the war. but. particularly in view of the electrification of the Moerewa Freezing Works, it is now important for the better control of the system that this four miles, Kaikohe to Remuera, be proceeded with. The cost will be approximately £ 1000 and we recommend that this work be authorised.”