SOUTHLAND POWER BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22257, 9 May 1934, Page 11

SOUTHLAND POWER BOARD

THE YEAR'S OPERATIONS SATISFACTORY POSITION DISCLOSED (Special to Daily Times.) INVERCARGILL, May 8, The annual general meeting of the Southland Electric Power Board was held this morning. There were present Messrs William Hinchey (chairman), J. T: Carswell,' W. M'Cliesney, George Wraytt, D. J. Heenan, P. Arnott, T. Golden, A. Le H. Hoylcs, A..A. Mac Gibbon, E. K. Sim. and J. D. Rodger.' ; ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. When the secretary invited nominations for the office of chairman of the board for the ensuing term, Mr Hinchey was nominated by Messrs Golden and Heenan and Mr Arnott by Messrs Sim and Carswell. An election was held and Mr Hinchey was declared re-elected. THE-ESTIMATES. .' The secretary (Mr C. C. Campbell), in submitting the estimates, stated that these had .been prepared on a basis, of safety; the expenditure had perhaps been over-es-timated while the. Anticipations of revenue had,been pruned. There was a reduction of 25 per cent, in the Power Board rate. This reduced the rate of 7-10ths of Id in the £1" on the Unimproved value, and would produce £32,500 this year compared with £43,400 last year. Provision was made .for the non-reticulated ratepayers to jeceivc. upon application, a rebate of two-thirds of the full rate payable in respect of their properties. The gross revenue in the electricity division was set down at £130,281, compared with £128.284 last year, and £127,337 in 1933. The estimate of cash receipts for the year was £126,134 compared with £128.283 last year. The estimated expenditure for the year was £207.228, including £107,759 in respect of ■ the Power Fund (General Account). The estimated income was £174,728, including £130,000 from the electricity division of the Power Fund (General Account). It was'proposed to meet the excess of expenditure out of the general rate, already mentioned, of 0.7 d, after deducting the allowance for: non-reticu-lated properties. ENGINEER'S REPORT., . The engineer (Mr L. B. Hutton) submitted a detailed report covering very fully the operations of his department and the technical side of the board's affairs generally. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT. "The statements which have been placed in your hands indicate that the progress made during the year has been most satisfactory," said the chairman in moving the adoption of the reports presented by the secretary and treasurer and the engineer. "The income shows nn increase over the preceding year of £2152, the cash in hand shows an increase of £13,031. and the outgoings show a decrease of £9271.. The cash' from rates exceeded last year by £10,701. This amount is considerably above the sum estimated and the ratepayers are to be congratulated upon meeting the demands of the board in such a handsome manner, particularly when the difficulties of the. farmers are taken into consideration. The overdraft is £29,081 below last year, the fixed deposits show a, satisfactory position, and the sinking funds have increased to £346,048. The advances to consumers account shows a considerable reduction in the amount outstanding, and the position of this account, is eminently satisfactory, considering the very large sum that was at one-time, represented-by advances. "The engineer's report is an interesting record of the engineering and technical branches of the, enterprise, including transport," the chairman continued. "The figures show that the water supply at Mouowai for, the year was more than double the quantity required by the power station. This information is valuable, to the board in the matter of considering the source of additional power. The units generated and sold show an increase, while the percentage of units lost shows a decrease. The transmission lines have received constant attention, and the interruptionsiu the service offer no cause for worry. Construction work has been done mainly with salvaged material, and in the future.the board, will require poles, etc., to meet the demand for extensions. Transport represents a large annual cost owing to the board's extensive area and very careful supervision is given by the 'engineer to this branch. The very low running costs and the long life of the motors in service speak for the efficiency and economy of the board's transport methods. "' ' , , • " Satisfactory arrangements have been made regarding the payment of exchange," added.the chairman, "and the general improvement in the board's position will enable members to view with satisfaction the prospect of reducing the rate. The improved position will also give the board greater confidence in dealing with the question .of providing additional power." THE REPORTS ADOPTED. Mr Mac Gibbon seconded the adoption of the reports, and the motion was carried. It was decided to circulate copies of the secretary's and engineer's reports among the various local bodies. SMALL TOTAL OF BAD DEBTS. '. " For the year 1933-34 our bad debts totalled only • .35 per cent. of. our total revenue, which is a splendid result," said Air Campbell, the secretary. For seven years, from 1925-32, £454 had been written off as bad debts, of which £93 had been recovered. For 1932-33 £585 had been written off, £BO having been recovered; for 1933-34 £398 had been written off and £139 had since been recovered. Of the total revenue of £957,308 the gross bad debts amounted to £4230. Of this sum £873 had been since recovered,, so that the total net bad debts came to £3357, or .35 per cent, of the total revenue. MONTHLY MEETING At the monthly meeting of the board the ordinary-reports of the. engineer and the secretary were received and adopted." The engineer, in his report for the month ended April 30,. states:— The output of the power station for the month was 2,314,780 units, and it is satisfactory to note that this is' the highest April output we have had. A half hour peak .of '6200 was recorded from 11 to 11.30 a.m. on Monday, 16th, and also 6200 k.w. for a full hour on the same day. The rainfall was five inches. and the lake stands at 9ft lOin above sill level. The average river discharge was 369.6 cusecs and the average power house consumption 328.7 cusecs. Apart from routine maintenance, the power station walls were painted up to window level, and the floor ; was specially treated to keep down dust. Twenty-five new .consumers were secured during the month, bringing bur total to. 10,018. Thirty installations were connected, and 79 extensions made to old installations. Four ranges and one water heater were added, also 13 motors, totalling 68 horse power. The total added load was 135 k.w.

The report of the secretary set out in detail ' the discussions which took place with the Minister of • Public Works, Mr J. Bitchenor, with reference to the damaged bridge across the Monowai. River. Put in a nutshell the Minister's advice was that the board and the Wallace County should again get together with, a view to the county making an application for a grant. Failing the county agreeing to make the application it looks as though Southland will be the-losers' of £2OO. Proceeding, the report stated that the cash receipts from the sale of electricity, etc., up to April 30 in comparison with the same period last year were as follows, the figures for last year being shown in parentheses:— Sales and arrears and collections, £9003 (£7721); advance payments. £3332 (£2586). Overall, the amount above the previous year was £2028. " The board received a happy surprise of £770 in connection with the adjustments of the premium on conversion of the ioan of £149,000. All of the arrangements had now been completed and the conversion has been effected. A resolution adopting the new form of debenture would be necessary. It was proposed to deal with this at a meeting of the board to be held on May 22.