POWER BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 20394, 25 January 1928, Page 3

POWER BOARD

SOUTHLAND BODY MEETS. NEW PREMISES DISCUSSED. At the monthly meeting of the Southland Electric Power Board yesterday morning there were present: Messrs W. Hinchey (chairman), E. Bowmar, C. A. Henderson, A. W. Rodger, T. A. Buckingham, A. A. Mac Gibbon, T. Golden, A. H. le Hoyles, D. J. Heenan, H. W. Lusk, and the Hon. A. F. Hawke. NEW PREMISES. A considerable amount of business in connection with the new premises was considered in committee. It was decided that the building be of concrete, consist of two storeys and have foundations so designed that a third storey could be added if so desired. As the floor space on the ground floor was more than ample for the board’s requirements a small shop is to be built adjoining the showroom. Mr Allan C. Forde was appointed architect, and it was decided to ask him to submit plans to the next meeting of the board. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The chief engineer, Mr L. B. Hutton, reported as follows for the month ending December 31: Power Station—The station output was I, units, which shows a small increase over that for November, and is satisfactory when due allowance is made for the holiday period. The highest peak reached was 4,400 k.w. on December 15 at 11. a.m. —evidently a combination of industrial and domestic load. There are roughly 1,000 ranges on the board’s lines, chiefly in the country, and. these will have a pronounced effect on the peak load. The plant has run satisfactorily during the month, and required only the usual routine attention. There was little rainfall, only 0.95 inches being recorded in the gauge. There has in consequence been a small drop in the levels of the Waiau and Monowai rivers and the lake.

New unit.—The contractors finished the penstock and fittings before Christmas and this appears to be a good job. It was tested for leakage etc. in the ordinary way. The new generator and turbine are in position and have been running at various times; but unfortunately a small part of the switchgear missed the main shipment, and arrived by the Port Caroline. This was an unfortunate oversight on the part of the manufacturers, and we may have to do something of a temporary nature to overcome it. In other respects the job of installing the machinery has been an excellent one, and reflects the greatest credit on the power station superintendent.

Transmission line.—This has behaved normally, and supply is still maintained by way of the south line. There was a little trouble at Winton sub-station due to birds, but this is a difficulty which is met with in all parts of the world and cannot very easily be overcome.

Winton area.—Operations in this, as in other areas, have been retarded in part, due to the holiday season, and the commencement of annual leave. However, the construction party has completed the new work at Avondale (Tahakaha), run eight services and then commenced work on the line for the Wakapatu Sluicing Co., which will be completed in January. Fault calls were exceptionally few. Invercargill area. —There have been a series of short interruptions on this system for unknown reasons, and the area officer is taking steps to patrol the main feeders. The construction party was very busy up till Christmas dealing with the eleventh hour rush. Since then, the area has been quiet.

Gore area. —Here again there were numbers of momentary feeder interruptions. There were two longer interruptions, not exceeding 2A hours, both due to insulator trouble. The construction party did a large amount of country work at Tuturau, Mataura and in Waikaka and Tapanui districts. They were unable to catch up with all their work before Christmas, but this is a good sign in many ways. Another party working in the Bore Borough, continued the re-construction in East Gore, and brought it nearly to completion. They were also able to commence the Main street work, which had been awaiting the arrival of certain cable. A total of 31 services was run in the area.

House wiring.—Thirty-four new consumers were secured during the month, bringing the total to date up to 7,932. The number of installations connected now totals 8,866. We also made 48 extensions to old installations. Twenty-one electric ranges were connected, and we now have 973 on the lines. We added 28 motors, of a total horse power of 424. The makes of ranges connected were McClary 12, Moffatt 5, Shacklock 3 and Tricity 1. In the Gore Borough, we secured five new consumers, making a total since taking over of 51, and connected four more ranges, making a total of 10 to date. Others are on order.

Test Department. —The test officer has been' engaged very largely at Monowai fitting and testing the new switchgear, and this work was brought to a successful conclusion before Christmas. A design has been made for a 66,000 volt isolating switch, and material ordered for one sample. A large amount of work has ben done in 11,000 volt switch and fuse renovation and also the usual meter work. Seventeen ranges were got ready and sent out, either direct to consumers or for showroom stocks. There was the usual movement in transformers, and the pole preserving testing scheme was taken a step further. The report was adopted.

Vouchers amounting to £5,500 were passed for payment.