SOUTHLAND POWER BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22057, 13 September 1933, Page 8

SOUTHLAND POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING (Special to Daily Times.) INVERCARGILL, September 12. The meeting of the Southland Electric Power Board held to-day was attended by Messrs W. Hinchey (chairman), J. T. Carswell, W. M'Chesney, G. Wraytt, D. J. Heenan,_ P. Arnott, W. M. Norman, A. A. Macgibbon, T. Golden, E. K. Sim, J. D. Rodger, and A. Le H. Hoyles. It was the contention of a member of the board that the securing of the building subsidy for work that would be done without it was an abuse of the Unemployment Board’s scheme. Other members did not agree with this contention, however, and it was decided that an application should be made for a subsidy on a building to be erected at Gore. The discussion arose out of a recommendation by the Finance Commitete that an application should be made for a subsidy in respect to the erection of new offices at Gore. , CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORT. The chief engineer (Mr L. B. Hutton) reported as follows on the operations of the board for the month ended August 31:— Power Station—The month’s output was 1,870,180 units, which shows a slight advance on August of last year. The rainfall was 3.35 inches and there was a light fall of snow. The lake level stands at 10ft 2in, having risen from about 9ft 2in at the beginning of the month. The average discharge over the spillway wag 56 cusecs, which shows control to the extent of 82 per cent. Transmission Line.—A partial patrol of the section Winton-Monowai was made, and further attention was paid to the Aparima River crossing at Wreys Bush, where the May flood isolated one of the poles. The concrete footing has now been further buttressed by glance groins. _ Winton Area. —The month s operation was quiet, there being only two series of trips, one due to contact with an earth hook on No. 2 feeder, and the other due to a broken wire on No. 1 feeder. The construction party continued the overhaul of the Opio and Wreys Bush lines, where it was found that less resagging than usual was necessary. , Invercargill Area—No interruptions of any length took place, and there were only three feeder _ trips in the whole month. Seven service lines were erected, three being for motors and two for ranges. Gore Area. —There were only eight feeder trips during the month, only two of which were of any account, being due to twisted wires at Benio and Dynes road, on No. 4 feeder. The construction party did further work in Mataura, but were unable to finish owing to urgency elsewhere. .. House Wiring.—The new applications received totalled 12. Fourteen installations were connected and 101 extensions made to old jobs. The report was adopted. SECRETARY’S REPORT. The secretary (Mr Charles Campbell) reported as follows: The cash receipts from sale of electricity, meter rents, repairs, etc., up to September 2 for the past four years is set out hereunder: — 1930. 1931. Sales and arrears and collections £48,849 £52,162 Advance payments.. .. 6,932 4,176 £55,781 £56,338 1932. 1933. Sales and arrears and collections £51,312 £52,248 Advance payments.. .. 3,805 3,370

£55,117 £55,618 The comparison with the previous year 1932 shows an increase of £936 irom ordinary sales and arrears, while payments made in advance show a decrease of £435. Overall the increase above the previous year is £5Ol. The comparison of receipts for 1931 with that of 1933 shows a decrease overall of £720. The receipts from ordinary sales, etc., being £B6 in excess of 1931, while the advance payments are £BO6 below 1931. The comparison between 1930 and 1903 at this date shows a decrease overall amounting to £163 in favour of 1930, but the advance payments made by consumers in 1932, were very much greater than in 1933 —the decrease in receipts from this source being £3562. The increase in ordinary sales and arrears above 1930 amount to £3399. The above comparison indicates that the cash receipts from sale of electricity, including advance payments since 1930, have not decreased, while it also indicates that since 1930 receipts from ordinary sales and arrears have increased by 6.9 per cent.

With regard to the flood damage at the Monowai River bridge—the Minister of Public Works has now written as follows; —“ With further reference to your letter, dated May 30 last, in connection with the question of the repair and maintenance of the above bridge, I have fully investigated the position and have come to the conclusion that the circumstances do not warrant, the Government in taking the drastic action which would be necessary if it were to interfere in this matter. In the circumstances, I regret, therefore, that I am unable to assist your board.” During the recent visit of the Minister of Lands (Mr E. A. Ransom) representations were made by local authorities urging the Minister to take the view that Crown leaseholders and Crown mortgages should not be immune from claims for rates or charges for electrical installations. Mr Ransom replied to the effect that he held the opinion that the proceeds from the land should be distributed pro rata among the various interests. He did not agree that the Crown should take preference over all others. The report was adopted.