OTAGO POWER BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3832, 23 August 1927, Page 10

OTAGO POWER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Otago Electric Power Board was held on Tuesday, and was attended by Messrs H. M. Driver (in the chair), D. Boyd, P. Briscoe, W. B. Galloway, J. Guest, F. Carson, and J. K Simpson.

The Secretary of the Maniototo Hospital Board wrote inquiring if there were any porspect of the board’s power lines being extended into his district, and if so, when it was proposed to ' egin reticulation.—The Engineer-manager reported that he had replied to the effect that it was not proposed to reticulate the Maniototo district at present, but that when power did reach there it would probably be supplied from a branch of the main transmission line that might eventually bo erected by the Public Works Department to act as a connecting link between Waipori and the northern stations at present under Government control. —The letter was received, and the engineer-manager’s reply approved.

A letter was received from the secretary of the Otago Education Board inquiring on what terms the board would be prepared to install an electric range in the Lawrence Technical School.—lt was agreed that the range be installed free of cost, as was done in the other districts.—Mr Galloway said he was not convinced that full use was being made of the ranges already installed, and the reports he had had of them in the Palmerston district were hardly satisfactory. In his opinion this was not a good advertisement for the board, and he would suggest that a demonstrator bo sent round to assist range users.—lt was decided to consider the matter more fully. It was agreed that the chairman and the engineer-manager proceed to Wellington to discuss with the chief Government electrical engineer (Mr F. M. Kissel) several important matters in connection with the board’s loan moneys. In regard to several complaints in connection with the capacity charges on ranges, the engineer-manager reported that ho had replied stating that whilst the system of charging seemed to the average consumer to be somewhat complicated, it was, in reality, a remarkably fair method, and that the capacity charge was quite reasonable. As a matter of fact, a consumer who used the power rationally was charged a very low rate, and the man who used it unfairly, and at times when the board’s heaviest loading occurred, was penalised by having to pay a high rate. ENGINEER-MANAGER’S REPORT.

The Engineer-manager reported as follows on the month’s operations : —

In the Balclutha district 273 miles of wiring and 2072 poles have been erected to date. During the month the low tension lines at llomahapa were comp] 'ted, and a number of consumers’ services were connected. The men in this district are at present engaged in running high tension to llurring's flaxmill at Ka, .ngatn, and also in erecting a sub-station there. In the Milton district the main employment has been done on maintenance work in the borough. In this district approximately l(>00 poles and 105 miles of wire have been run to date. The men are at present employed in running low tension and house services in order to effect supply to consumers in the Glenore district by the end of the week. In the Waitati district 7GI poles and approximately 70 miles of wire have been run to date. During the mon.th the men liaro been employed chiefly in the Merton district; transformers being erected at Brightling’s and Scott’s. Four ranges have been connected in this district and seven new consumers have received supply. There have been two or three interruptions of supply in this area, though none of them serious. The foreman in this district reports that a belt of trees belonging to the Orakanui Home are a cause of danger when bad easterly weather is experienced. These trees have probably been th cause of the interruptions. In the Palmerston district the men have been engaged during the month in connecting of house services at Waikouaiti. The contractor is making good progress with the Milton-Lawrence main line, but some delays are being experienced owing to the non-arrival of firstly, pole ironwork, and latterly, copper wire. However, no serious delay is expected now, and it is to >e hoped that this line will be completed by the 20th of September. The wiring contractor is making steady progress. The total number of installations completed and tested to date is 213, all of the work connected with same being of a very satisfactory nature. In the meanwhile, tardy consumers are coming forward and si.ning applications to have their premises wired. Twenty-one such consumers have signed up during the last month. In the Lawrence township 15G poles have been erected to date; seven miles of wire have been run, and a distributing sub-station, in. Colonsay street, erected. The council has given the permission to have trees in Cambellton street removed, and the foreman of this district has made arrangements for their removal without any expense to the board. The men have also unloaded four trucks of poles .luring the month; and have latterly been engaged in running low tension, and will now bo engaged in erecting house services.