OTAGO POWER BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23689, 22 December 1938, Page 13

OTAGO POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Otago Electric Power Board, held yesterday afternoon at Milton, was attended by Messrs A. E. Russell (chairman), W. Lee, D. Boyd, W. Cameron, G. Moore, J. B. McGill, T. A. Lowis, R. H. Michelle and W. C. Arkle. Finance The secretary (Mr L. W. Potter) submitted a summary of the board's financial transactions for the month. This was adopted, and accounts totalling £2275 14s 6d were passed for payment. Strath-Taicri Extension Commenting on the Middlemarch-Strath-Taieri extension, the chairman stated that the board was hopeful of getting the transmission line construction proceeded with expeditiously after the new year. Work was being delayed through the slow delivery of poles. The board was doing its utmost to expedite deliveries, and had been assured that improvement would be effected early in the new year. Consumers in the district were looking forward eagerly to receiving the benefits of electricity, and he felt assured that the demand would increase after the installations had been effected, both for mining, irrigation and residential purposes. The engineer would be able to make satisfactory arrangements with farmers or run-holders requiring electricity for irrigation purposes. Correspondence The secretary, Electric Power Boards and Supply Association, wrote forwarding a copy of a letter from the Wellington Technical Classes College requesting that any discarded electrical equipment which might prove beneficial in the teaching of students for the electricians' course should be given to the college.—Left to the chairman for attention, members express-

ing the desire that any such equipment should be given to technical schools at Milton, Balclutha or' Dunedin. Inspection of Transmission Lines The chief electrical engineer (Mr T. M. Kissell) forwarded a report on the departmental inspection oi transmission lines and works throughout the board's area. The report showed that only minor alterations were desirable.—The engineer staled that' the alterations had all been carried out The chairman stated that the department's inspection report was gratifying and complimentary to the board's engineer. Increased Electricity Demand Commenting on the detailed report submitted showing the number of installations connected with the board's reticulation, Mr Boyd said it was gratifying to note the steady and continued increase in demand for electricity. For the eight months ended November 30, 99 new consumers' installations had been connected up, bringing the present total to 4567 consumers; 282 additional general purpose points had been added (present number 3825); 154 extra heating points (total 2869); 1079 additional lights 'total 40,298); 22 additional ranges ("total 415); 15 additional water heaters (total 358); and 51 motors (total 998). The board, stated Mr Boyd, had every reason for congratulating itself on the progress being made. General On the motion of Messrs McGill and Lowes, it was decided that an additional canvass be made after the holidays with the object of obtaining more guarantors for the Strath-Taieri extension. The chairman and the engineer reported that in their recent inspection of the new sub-station at Palmerston it was noticed that no provision had been made for reclosing gear in the event of temporary stoppages through birds fouling the transmission lines. It was stated that the nearest attendant was resident at Halfway Bush, and lengthy delays might be occasioned if neither reclosing gear were provided nor a resident attendant appointed.— It was decided that the department's attention be drawn to the matter.

Engineer's Report The engineer (Mr R. D. Veitch) reported on work carried out during the month as follows: Milton. —A track on the main line between Mary's landing and the roadway has been cleared for the patrolman. The telephone from the main sub to the office has received attention, and eight spans of faulty wife have been replaced. Seven street light brackets have been repaired and four altered. Sixteen minor maintenance jobs have been performed on the various lines. Wires were dropped at Kinness and Adam's Flat to allow the Public Works Department line to be erected and a tree to be felled. Fuses damaged by lightning have been repaired. Ten reinspections were made and 30 completed; total for the area, 604 and 441 respectively. Stirling-Balclutha.—High tension reconstruction has been completed at North road. One pole was erected and low tension run at Stirling. At Inch Clutha high tension maintenance was performed, trees cut, and four twowire services run. A section at Stirling has been levelled for the erection of the concrete pole building. Sixteen reinspections have been made and 22 completed, making a total of 523 completed. Kaitangata.—A low tension pole has been shifted to clear the kerbing, and services have recieved attention. Owaka One high tension extension from Owaka Valley has been commenced. Portion of the 11,000-volt line near Romahapa has been retied. One new service has been run at Kaka Point and two at Owaka. On the 12th trouble was experienced at Paretai through a piece of fence wire being thrown across the low tension conductors. Lawrence.—Earths have been rectified and earth covers repaired. Low tension has been repaired and sub maintenance performed. Services have also received attention. Willows on the Beaumont line have been cut. At Mount Stewart one tie has been replaced and a service run. Maniototo-Strath-Taieri. Approximately 80 post holes have been sunk during the past month; most of these

required shooting. Pole deliveries are most disappointing, but it is hoped, with the supply on hand, and what is promised next ship, to get a fairly good start on January 7. All available poles coming forward for Otago stock and ordered before the Middlemarch-Strath Taieri contracts were let are being consigned thither as they come forward. Holes have now been sunk from the Taieri River to approximately two miles from Macrae's. In the testroom, switchgear fuses and street lighting equipment is being made up for the Middlemarch-Strath Taieri area.

Northern Area.—Seventy-three reinspections were completed. Faulty fuses and switch insulators at Palmerston caused trouble in that area. Trouble at Waikouaiti is attributed to swans. Tree felling at Waitati and Kilmog was supervised. One anchor has been fitted at Waitati also, and services have received attention. Fuses have been replaced at Purakanui and Warrington. At the Limekilns substation, Dunback, high tension fuses and transformer bushings have been veplaced, and three fuses at Inch Valley replaced with an air-break switch. One pole was anchored, ties replaced, and lines resagged, at Hawksbury Bush. At Bushy and Goodwood trees have been cut. , The report was adopted.