POWER BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 20447, 27 March 1928, Page 6

POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. OFFICERS’ REPORTS. There were present at the monthly meeting of the Southland Power Board yesterday Messrs W. Hinchey (chairman), E. Bowmar, C. A. Henderson, D. J. Heenan, P. Arnott, A. A. Mac Gibbon, A. W. Rodger, T. Golden, T. Buckingham, A. le H. Hoyles, W. Lusk. The board’s architect, Mr A. C. Ford, conferred with members concerning the plans and specifications of the new offices. The board discussed in committee certain matters of policy. CURRENT LIMITERS. The secretary’s report contained the following information concerning current limiters:—The following circular letter has been sent to all current limiter consumers except three with whom special long term agreements were made some time ago—“( 1) The board wishes to advise you that it finds it desirable when giving a supply of electricity, to do so, in all cases, through the meter system. In future, therefore,

applications for a supply through the current limiter system will have to be declined. (2) Consumers who at present have a current limiter installed will please be advised that the.maximum date up to which they will be permitted to have the current limiter is March 31, 1929. There is a possibility that the board may withdraw the current limiter system before that date, but in that case fair and reasonable notice will be given before action is taken. (3) The board therefore hereby gives you formal notice that, as from the beginning of the board’s financial year, i.e., April 1, 1928, your supply of electricity through the current limiter is being continued subject to paragraph (2) hereof. (4) The cost of making the ‘change-over’ will be borne by the board.” ENGINEER’S REPORT. The chief engineer (Mr L. B. Hutton), reported as follows for the month of February: Power Station. —The station output was 1,730,000 units, less than last month on account of the fewer days, but about equal on the daily average of 59,655 units. The highest peak reached was 2,600 k.w. on the mornings of February 23 and 28. On this latter date, a large quantity of weed found its way down the river and canal to the trash racks necessitating the dropping of the greater part of the load for a while until equilibrium was re-established. The rainfall amounted to 0.48 inches, which practically means that no water ran into the lake. At the end of last month the lake level stood at Bft. On February 29 it has fallen to Oft 4ins and must be now somewhere near its old natural level. The Waiau made a further drop, and now runs at 13ft below Powerhouse floor level. The new turbine and generator has been running continuously on light load, and was given 1000 k.w on Sunday. The performance to date is satisfactory. Winton Area.—The construction party continued their work to the Wakapatu mine, erected the transformer and livened the job, which is now running. They then renovated faulty line switches at Orepuki and Pahia, and moved back to Winton. Tree cutting has claimed a considerable portion of their time, and they have in addition run several service lines. The total number of services run in the Winton area for the month was 16. Invercargill Area.—The construction party has been engaged attending to several details required by the Public Works inspector, including tree-cutting. They also salvaged four miles of low tension copper wire not now required, and run 12 services. As to operation, there were a large number of feeder trips, from unknown causes, much of which is still thought to be due to birds, and the discover}' of several dead thrushes at the foot of poles would lend colour to this theory. The area officer has recently concluded an overhaul of his district, and it is hoped that several new consumers will result therefrom. Gore Area.—The chief construction party has been at work in Wyndham, Mataura, Edendale, Glenham and Waikaka, practically all this work being constructive, and necessitated directly by growth of load. Another small party of two men has attended to the work in the Gore Borough. Eleven services were run in the area.