SOUTHLAND POWER BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22211, 14 March 1934, Page 11

SOUTHLAND POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING (Special to Daily Times.) INVERCARGILL, March 13. The monthly meeting of the Southland Electric Power Board was held this morning, and was attended by: Messrs William Hinchey (chairman), J. T. Carswell, W. M'Chesney, G. Wraytt, D. J. Heenan, W. M. Norman, A. A. M'Gibbon, T. Norman, A. Le H. Hoyles, E. K. Sim, T. Golden and J. T. Rodger. ENGINEER’S REPORT. \ The chief engineer (Mr L. B. Hutton) reported as follows on the operations of the board for the mouth ended February 28: — . . Power Station. —February is a short mouth, but the station output reached the high figure of 2,143,270 units. Construed into terms of four-weekly periods through, out the year, this is a gain of two days output on last month’s. Transmission Line'.—The chief work here has been a search for a fault on the telephone circuit, the indications being that it was located in the telephones themselves. Certain alterations have been made, and the trouble appears to have gone. Trees were trimmed at Oreti, and a pole strut repaired at the Waiau crossArea.—Three services were erected at Winton, Otautau,- and Flints Bush, two of these being for ranges. On the 100 line a further section of line was overhauled, this being a very important feeder that has shown signs of traymg and cutting at the insulator ties. Invercargill Area.—The month was notable for the changing atmospheric conditions experienced, the worst being heavy mist on dust covered .insulators. Any weakness in an insulator seems to be found out under such conditions. Ro. i feeder—being the largest—suffered worst, but Nos. 1 and 2 came in for a share. Gore Area—On only five days m the month was the sub-station free from feeder trips, each one, even including the Gore Borough feeder, taking its turn. All oi these were of a momentary nature, and caused very little inconvenience. Part ot the mist and cloud effect which affected Invercargill area, also affected Gore. The report was adopted. SECRETARY’S REPORT.

The secretary (Mr C. Campbell) reported as follows; , , . Receipts from electricity amounted to £110,409. Other revenue brought the total for the month to £114,011. House Wiring.—Eighteen new consumers were secured in the month, and 22 installations connected; 85 extensions were made to old installations. The number of ranges connected was eight, ami oi waterheaters three. Thirty-three motors, of a total horse-power of 64, were added, a large proportion of these being pumping motors. The total additional load was 207 k.w. ■ v ' , ... , .. Ordinary sales and arrears at this date are £3360 above the previous year, while advance payments are £416 below the previous year. Overall the increase above the previous year is £2944. The report was adopted. GENERAL, After a discussion on the principle involved, the following motion, moved by Mr J. D. Rodger, was carried by six votes to four:—«That the terms and conditions of supply to the King Solomon gold mines be reconsidered with a view to the price for current being increased. Gratification was expressed when a statement was submitted by the. secretary, who stated that at the beginning of the financial year it was estimated that the payments on rates.in reduction °f Previous arrears would amount to £o7oA and the cash collected up to March 12 amounted to £12,733. MONOWAI BRIDGE. Some discussion arose when the following letter from the Minister of Employment (Mr Adam Hamilton) was read: —"Since writing you on January 31, I have had an opportunity of discussing with the Minister of Public Works the question of .the replacement of the Monowai River bridge, and of your board’s offer to bear any cost over and above £2OO. In a communication which I have just received from Mr J. Bitchener he says, *1 have given the above-men-tioned question further consideration, and I have taken careful note of all that i* said in the , Power Board’s letter to you. As to the responsibility for the maintenance of. the road and bridges, I again wish to emphasise , that it is not a work whereon expenditure of funds contributed by the general, taxpayer should be contemplated. The bridge is part of the power scheme, and it must be conceded that if visitors did not use the road at all the Power Board would still have to replace it. If the board can come to a mutual arrangement with the County Council, that is the direction in which the solution of its difficulty lies, and I think it should negotiate towards this end. I am afraid 1 cannot help you.any further in this matter in the meantime.” , , The chairman remarked that the board would have to do something about the bridge, which could not be left much longer in its present state. Mr Golden said he considered Mr Bitchener’s excuse was a lame one. The engineer, in reply to a question, said that there was no doubt the road was of use to the public. “ I wmuld go so far,” he said, “as to say that if Mr David M'Dougall were the member for the district the bridge would have been completed by now instead of our merely getting a repetition of lame excuses. , , , Mr Carswell suggested referring the matter to the Southland League. Mr Norman: There is nothing to stop them giving us that grant. Tins is just like the Government in many other things —a bluff. The letter was received.