ELECTRIC POWER

Opunake Times, 26 October 1948, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER

ENGINEER'S REPORT UNITS INCREASE]) The Power Board Engineer, Mr. E. G. Snell submitted bis monthly report for September i-s follows: Power Station Bulk Supply: In spite _of trouble with ' No. 1 machine through lightning, a very satisfactory total of 141,571 units was generated at the Powerhouse. This brings the total units generated for the first six months of the year to 1,003,022, an increase of over 200,000 over the corresponding period last year. Willi normal hydraulic conditions over the next six months, the Hoard should be assured of a leccrd output. Units purchased ex Te Kiri Substation were 723,700, bringing the total mats purchased ■and generated to 865,271, an increase of 84,127 on last year, <.r •i per cent over our allocation. Advei.se hydraulic conditions ai Taupo and Waikaremoaua have resulted in the Electricity Controller insisting that Supply Authorities keep within their allocation, and steps are being taken to comply with his request. The new line from Te Kiri to Rahotu is doiuo' its job and it is anticipated that a slight reduction in voltage over the whole area will enable the Board ,to keep within its allocation, without undue and irksome restrictions this year. A request has been received from the State Hydro Electric Department to assist the pow-r shortage by running the Diesel Engine, taking into consideration the availability and supply o f fuel oil. Sufficient oil is < u band to enable the engine to be used for short periods each fay during peak hours and this is rein<v done.

The engine has recently been overhauled and a new exhaust ripe fitted between the engine block and silencer. On the Ttit., No. 1 machine was severely damaged by. lightning- during a sharp storm a{ 5.40 p.~m. necessitating tilt complete dismantling of .he machine and the fitting of 12 new stator windups. The machine was out Ci service for 9 days but has been operating satisfactorily after beinc placed on load again on the lc'th. A como ete ret of stater winding h.»-s been ordered for this machine but as tliey will have to come f-.'-.m the U.S.A., some time may elapse before they are to hand. The maximum demand for the ouarter reached 1,6-38 K.W. at R p.m. on the 28th of this limit! l . 3 days before the end of the rfuai'ter. During this period

■?.30. ( . 076 units were taken from (he State _ Hydro-Electric Dei;uttrnfnt, including 533,396 nni*s' generated by the Opunake Power Statioja".

litttribistioft aitf Maintenance The 77 chains of 11 KV extension on the Upper Kaweora Roid l"o Clements, and. Kedin, lias been com]'sled and livened this month. That portion of the Kiri Road line not now in use as a iesull of the new line, has been dismantled between Sayeds and sturgeons and poles have been recovered for use as service poles. Three 30ft poles have been erected in- Opunake . Borough. 10 give clearance for new P. and 1. lines in Fox and ITnvelock Streets and 10 services in King Street, Domett Street, Pox Street and Hayelock Street have been altered to meet the new P. and T. requirements. Substantial deliveries of transformers have been made at the workshop this month. Most ?A these have been dried out, filled with oil, painted "and tested and made ready for service. 02 trouble calls have been attended to. Installations antf Inspections The nett increase in connected had for September was 109.019 iv.W. Details are as follows : New consumers, 5; 'New installations 13; Additions to installations, 32; Alterations, i; Lighting points, 55; Heating points, 30; Ranges, 4; Domestic wuterheaters, 3; Dairy- waterheaters, 4: .Milking motors, 2; .Milking motors changed, 3; Water pump motors, 8; Industrial motors, 1; Condensers, .10; Radios, 18; Refrigerators, 1; Washing machines, 3. - 52 permits for new wiring work were issued and 50 inspections carried out. 34 meters were tested, 30 meters installed, 1 changed -and 15 removed. Housing Erection work on No. 5 House bus continued satisfactorily. .Continued toot of next column)

Most of the outside work has been completed and the interior fittings are well under way. Shortage of cement has, however, delayed the drainage work and the construction of tanks. The house should, however, be ready for occupation, in November. Staff Applications were recently called for an Inspector-Trouble- : man to assist on Re-inspecti.m i work and servicing. The response was very poor, only three applications being received. l x p to the time of writing this "£- port, no,appointment had been made. ■.■■ \ Appreciation As this is the last report I will have the privilege of presenting to the Board before taking up my appointment as Issislant Chief Engineer to the Vhames Valley Electric Power Board, I would like to place on record my sincere appreciation of the courtesy, friendship' and consideration given me by he Chairman and Members of ihe Board, during my 12" years service. Their policy has been progressive and instructive and the encouragement and consideration so generously given to my reports and recommendations lias been very much appreciated. To the staff, both inside and ord, I express my sincere thanks. Such progress as bas been made would have been impossible without their loyal sup.Dort and co-operation. My assoc iaiion with Mr. Cassels and later, with Mr. Brown, will remain one of the happiest recollections of my service with this Board. I received nothing lnjt the most helpful co-operation and assistance from both these Officers and I greatly regret having to break up this association. I will always be interested in the Board's affairs and look forward to hearing continued ieports of its expansion and progress.