THAMES VALLEY POWER

Putaruru Press, Volume XXVII, Issue 1393, 14 September 1950, Page 3

THAMES VALLEY POWER

BOARD’S SEPTEMBER MEETING The Thames Valley Power Board met at Te Aroha on Tuesday, those present being Messrs J. F. Mayn (chairman), W. A. Rushton, E. Edwards, J. Pohlen, E. Jamieson, W. Marks, A. E. Wrigley, P. O. Downes, A. H. Coombe, H. L. Boughton and the Hon. W. S.- Goosman. Leave of absence was granted to Mr J. A. Barrett (Ohinemuri county). Loan of £IOO,OOO to be Raised The Local Government Loans Board notified the board that it had sanctioned the raising of a loan of £IOO.OOO at 3i per cent for 20 years for the purpose of further reticulating the hoard’s district. A resolution to take steps to raise this lban was approved. Accounts totalling £42,610 were passed for payment, including £22,939 interest on loans. i Tokoroa Request Declined The Egmont Box Co., Ltd., Tokoroa, applied for permission to instal one 40 h.p. motor. The motor would be used for fire fighting. The pump was now driven by a petrol engine and the motor would be used only if the petrol engine failed. The- board adopted the recommendation of its finance committee “that owing to the seriousness of the power position applications for increased loading be declined.” Proposed All-Electric Mill Ellis and Bumand, Ltd., Hamilton, wrote as follows: “We are contemplating erecting a sawmill at Putaruru and would prefer to have an all-electric mill. We are preparing plans and would appreciate advice from you as to whether electric power would be available for the operation of this sawmill.” The board’s reply was that it must decline all applications for increased loading owing to the seriousness of the power position. Federated Farmers’ Appreciation The Te Aroha Sub-province Federated Farmers wrote expressing appreciation of the efforts of the board to assure the farming community of a satisfactory supply of electricity for production purposes. Power for Kinleith The General-Manager, ■ State Hydro-electric Department, replied to the board’s letter regarding the supply of the equipment and materials necessary to give supply at Kinleith sub-station. “The position has been carefully checked and so far as can be foreseen at present it appears that the end of 1952 is the earliest date at which supply could be given,” stated ,the letter. “It is not possible to make accurate estimates up to two years ahead in such matters and there are many factors which could affect the above estimates. 1 It appears, however, that it should be reasonably possible to keep to this date.” Pole Erecting Truck The chief engineer’s report stated that one three-ton truck has been fitted with mechanical pole erecting and dismantling equipment, including outrigger winch and windlass. A trial run of this machine was very successful and the operation of the truck in service will be closely observed with a view to further trucks being fitted in like manner. Record Peak Load A peak load of 15,840 k.v.a. has been registered at six p.m. on August 2, this being an all-time record for the board. The loading has been consistently close to this figure many times during the month. TJnlt Consumption Peak The allocation to the board, which has been rising at the rate of 6000 units per week for the last nine weeks, will reach its peak on the week ending September 3, when the curve will turn downwards slowly at the rate of 1350 units per week until the end of the year, stated the engineer. Supply Position Not Good “There is nothing in immediate prospect over which one could enthuse,” stated the chief engineer. “The latest advices regarding the lake storage shows Taupo to be 2.95 feet and Waikaremoana 10.4 feet below the levels of this time last year. This lack of storage represents some 210 million units short of the target set for ordinary power supply quotas for the year. “The prospects are really bad and heavy restrictions can be forecast before the summer is over. An announcement on the critical position now developing is expected from the chief engineer of the State Hydro Dpartment any day now.”