OTAGO POWER BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3869, 8 May 1928, Page 15

OTAGO POWER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. ’ihe monthly meeting of the Otago Power Board was held on Wednesday. Mr H. M. Driver was in the chair. There were also npesent Messrs P. Briscoe, D. Boyd, W. B. Galloway, F. Carson, and J. K. Simpson. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The Engineer (Mr J. C. Collins) reported as follows on the board’s operations during the month: — Main lines have been regularly patrolled, and arc reported to be all in good order Power was cut off in the afternoon on one occasion, in the northern area in order to renew some 11,000 volt insulators, and at the same time the insulators on die r_zim substation at Waiiati were overhauled.

In the Balclutha district 2183 poles and 300 miles of wire have been erected to date. The men of this district have been engaged chiefly in changing transformers in order to release single phase trans formers to be used singly. An extension was made to the 6000 volt line on the Kaitangata canal, and further reconstruction carried out in Kaitangata. The men who were employed on this work are at present working at Romahapa. Several interruptions took place during the month, one due to a swan getting caught, one owing to Waipori, and on March 27 and 26 several interruptions took place while a fault was located on *ho Stony Creek line, caused by one wire which had loosened, making intermittent contact with anothei phase. In the M.lton district, 1669 poles and 202 miles of wire have been erected to date A 42 foot pole was erected at the Milburn works to replace an old bluegum pole. Reconstruction work is still being carried on in the Milton Borough, the mains in some streets being increased from 7/16 to 7/14, and in others from 7/13 to 7/16. Supply was effected to two more consumers at Clarendon, and an overhaul of switchgear and insulators at the main sub-station was n-ade.

In the Lawrence district 507 poles and 33 miles of wire have been erected to date. L.T. and house services have been run to Johnston’s and Evan’s Flat; 10 street lights were erected and livened up at Waitahuna. The men are at present working on the Sub station at Manuka.

In the Waitati-Seacliff district, 841 poles and 81 miles of wire have been erected to date, and during the month six poles were changed on the line to the Waitati sawmill. It was thought advisable to rein force the line, particularly where extra stresses were occurring, in this manner, as the poles used throughout on this line were New Zealand cedar.

Seven new services were erected. The men nre at present engaged in repairs and tree cutting on tho line from Seacliff to Karitane.

Bluegum bark caused two interruptions during the month; three branches and wet straw caused short interruptions on four occasions, and on Thursday, April 12, the E P. and L. Department had tho power cut off while renewing shot insulators. In the Palmerston- W-aikouaiti district 1639 poles and 179 miles of wire have been erected to date. This gang has been employed in erecting transformers and low tension and house services, to give supply to approximately 19 consumers at Tumai. Ono new service and a range service at Waiiionaiti and one new service at Kantane, have been completed. The men are at present engaged on the line to M’Cal lum’s at Flag Swamp, and also in cutting trees on this route. The report was adopted. GENERAL. A joint letter from Messrs - John Ellis, James Marshall and James M’Clule(Summerhill) was received, requesting that their district bo reticulated as soon as possible.—lt was decided that the matter be referred to the engineer-manager, with the suggestion that the connection be made as soon as possible. In accordance with previous notice o* motion Mr Garson moved—“ That in future this board shall not finance consumers for installations, but shall treat the cost of wiling done by our wiremcn on a cash basis.”—The motion was seconded by Mr Galloway and carried.