OPUNAKE POWER BOARD

Opunake Times, 13 July 1937, Page 3

OPUNAKE POWER BOARD

THE MONTHLY MEETING OFFICERS' REPORT The monthly meeting of the (Jpunake Electric Power Board was held on Friday. There were present Messrs. G. Goodwin (chairman), A. J. Brennan, E. A. Collins, W. C. Green, J. S. Hickey and J. S. Toaland. Advice was received from the Loans Board that in connection with the £2OOO loan proposed by the Power Board, the investigations required by the. rules of procedure were being undertaken and that the decision would be forwarded immediately after the matter had been considered. Secretary's Report The secretary (Mr C. Cassells) reported that the sales of electricity for June had been as follows (figures for June, 1936, in parentheses): Heating and light-

ing, 81,289 units, £1325 (78, 5U<3, £1261); power, 51,557 £822 (50,825, £795); water heaters, £136 (£125);) gross sales for Ma v-June 132,955 £2293 (129,328, £2181); less heavy estimated bills, £1064 (£989); less discounts, £938 (£913); total electricity sales for the quarter ending June 30, gross £3603 (£3379); less discounts £3318 ( £3144); net increase for quarter £204, £62 m excess of the estima\e.

The work, etc., chargeable for

the month amounted to £144, bringing the total for the quarter to £371/16/10. The bank ovJidraft amounted to £4066, *n< improvement of £1430 over June 30 last vear.

Under sundry debtors, the arrears outstanding on May 31 had been £342. Since ttiat date CI J 1 had been collected, but current accounts overdue for June totalling £163 had increased the arrears to £384, as compared with £430 at the same date last year. Cash receipts for the quarter amounted to £3666 (£3189). All items of expenditure were progressing proportionately within the estimated limits. Engineer's Report The report of the engineer (Mr E. G. Snell) stated that the generating plant had functioned satisfactorily and without fault unng the month, 69,782 units having been generated. The Diesel engine ran four hours on a load for test purposes, 550 uns being registered for a fuel consumption of 32 gallons. Bulk supply had been taken continuously, 109,450 units having been purchased, the total units generated and purchased being 179, 232, an increase of 18,000 over the corresponding period last year. River flow had been steady, no difficulty having been experienced in maintaining the lake level. A n unusually heavy demand for .service lines had kept the staff busy and important overhull work had had to be curtailed. The half-yearly earth-testing and inspection of transformers had been carried out. Thirtyseven trouble calls had been attended to, 18 being chargeable to consumers. Units generated and purchased for the first quarter totalled 558,100, as compared with 520, 200 last year. Service lines erected totalled 26, as compared with 8 last year, and installations also showed a marked increase. The matter of appointing an extra linesman was left to the engineer.