SOUTHLAND POWER BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21979, 14 June 1933, Page 9

SOUTHLAND POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING (Per United Press Association.) INVERCARGILL. June 13. At the monthly meeting of the Southland Electric Power Board, which was held this morning, there were present— Messrs \T. Hinchey (in the chair), J. T. Carswell, W. M'Chesney, G. A. Wraytt, D. J. Heenan, P. Arnott, W. M. Norman, A. A. Mac Gibbon, T. Golden, A. Le EL Hoyles, E. K. Sim, and J. D. Rodger. CHIEF ENGINEER’S REPORT, The chief engineer (Mr L. B. Hutton), in his report for the month ended May ,31, stated, inter alia;— Power Station. —The month’s total output was 2,509,250 units. This is the largest output reached to date. , The rainfall for the month was recorded at the village as 6.72 in, which- only serves to indicate how little the village rainfall is indicative of the lake catchment rainfall. In April, for instance, we recorded 8.72 in at the village, but ive had no floods in April. In view of this unprecedented rise in the lake level, it has been deemed advisable, -while the labour was available, to raise the crest of the earth dam a further height of 18 inches. This has now been done, and the wet of the winter will assist in consolidating it. The lake side surface has been napped with boulders to resist wave action.

Wintou Area. —From the operation point of view, jtlie month was quiet, there being only the major stoppage. This occurred on No. 1 feeder, due to a broken wire at Northope. Services erected totalled seven, and were distributed all over the area.

Invercargill Area. —There, was only one major interruption in service. This occurred on No. 5 feeder, and was.due to a broken h.t. fuse base. The feeder was cut for just over an hour. Five service lines were erected, all being single phase. Gore Area. —There were three major interruptions. No. 4 had one hour’s stoppage due to twisted wires at Arthurton, No. 5 stopped for an hour and a-quarter due to accidental contact with guard iron, and on the 26th No. 1 tripped for one hour and a-quarter due to a fallen tree at Kingston crossing. House Wiring.—Eighteen new consumers were secured during the month, bringing our total up to 9547. Twelve installations were connected and 59 extensions made to old installations. Four ranges and one motor were connected, the total added load being 40 kw. Seventy premises were reinspected. The report was adopted. SECRETARY'S REPORT.

The secretory (Mr Charles Campbell) reported as follows: — Cash receipts from sale of electricity, etc., up to May 31 totalled £21,972, compared with £22,999 for the previous year. Ordinary sales and arrears at this date are £564 below the previous year, while advance payments are £463 below the previous year. Overall the decrease below the previous year is £1027. The position of the receipts at this date from other sources, the figures for the previous year being given in parentheses, is as follows: —Rates. £2107 (£5698) interest earnings, £405 (£252) ; miscellaneous, £1096 (£1087); showroom, £175 (£2S7); advance payments, £135 (£197). The report was adopted. LOAN CONVERSION.

The secretary submitted a lengthy report on the suggested conversion of the loan of £150,000 raised from the Public Trustee, the nominal rate of interest on which, 6 per cent., had been reduced by 20 per cent, under the interest reduction legislation. The chairman said that the question for the board to decide was whether to convert or accept a reduction of 20 per cent. It appeared that the Government was desirous of converting local body loans for the special purpose of reducing the interest rates to a uniform level. In the board’s ease conversion would mean an interest rate of 4£ per cent., while under the 20 per cent, reduction it was at present 4.8 per cent. In case of conversion there would be payment on premium to be made amounting to £7OOO, so that the board might be worse off in the end than by accepting the 20 per cent, reduction. “My own feeling,” he said, "is that we should accept the 20 per cent, reduction. The Government will not interfere.” _Mr Mac Gibbon moved in this direction.

Mr Carswell said that even if conversion cost more it might pay the board. He suggested that the matter should be referred to the Finance Committee. Mr Mac Gibbon: And no action be taken in the meantime.

A motion to this effect was carried. PROPOSED STAFF INSURANCE. The board considered details of the proposed staff insurance scheme to be subsidised by the board. The secretary reported that the Finance Committee had gone into the matter, but did not propose to consider it further until it had an indication from members whether or hot the principle of subsidised insurance was approved by the board.

The chairman said that there would be ample protection for the board. It was proposed that the liability of the board should not exceed £SOO per annum. The board would pay half of the £8 or £lO premiums, and if an employee wanted additional cover he would have to pay for it himself.

Mr Carswell strongly supported the idea and, in moving that the board should undertake such a scheme, referred to the fact that there was every possibility of the board making a saving in exchange this year, and, in addition, a refund of £BOOO paid last year. The motion was seconded by Mr A. Lc H. Hoyles. Mr Mac Gibbon opposed the motion.

Mr I). Rodger also spoke against the proposal. Mr Arnott said that when the matter had been considered by the board some time previously it had been stated that a subsidised insurance scheme would cost the board £2400 per annum. He supported the motion, and said that the board would have to adopt the scheme ultimately, and the longer they waited the more it would cost. Mr Golden said that if a lump sum wore paid to the employees they might lose it. Mr M'Chesney said that those members who opposed the motion were not looking far enough ahead, and to failure to look ahead was duo the present position of the country. The employees who retired from the board’s service after years of service should not have to be dependent' on the Hospital Board. Mr Heeuan expressed a doubt whether the time was opportune for the scheme. The motion was put, six voting for it and six against it; The chairman gave his casting vote in favour of the motion.

Later in the day Mr Sim claimed that the board had not been given sufficient time to consider the proposal, and he gave notice of motion that the resolution should be rescinded. It will he considered at the next meeting of the board.