POWER BOARD AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 20538, 14 July 1928, Page 8

POWER BOARD AFFAIRS

CHIEF ENGINEER’S REPORT. MONTH OF JUNE. The monthy .report of the chief engineer (Mr. L. B. Hutton) to the Southland Electric Power Board, for the month of June is as follows: The month’s output in units was 1,933, 150, a slight decrease on last month’s figures, but due almost entirely to there being one day less. On June, 73,050 units were generated, and a peak of 5,400 K.W. was experienced on two occasions, both at 4.55 p.m. There will possibly be a falling off in both unit output and peak, on account of the cessation of freezing and dairy loading. There was a rainfall of 1.84 inches and snowfalls totalling 9i inches. The lake fell 14 inches, and now stands at 6ft. 34 inches. Further good progress was made with the oil curcuit breakers, which are receiving their final drying out; and it is hoped to have them working before the end of this present month. The Powerhouse machinery' behaved satisfactorily. The monthly patrol was carried out, and both lines appeared to be in serviceable order. When weather permitted, live line insulator testing was done. We secured 34 new consumers, bringing the total up to 8,128. There will, however, be a drop in our total when we hand over part of South Invercargill to the Borough. We connected 37 installations, and made extensions to 54 old jobs. There were nine ranges connected and five waterheaters, bringing the totals up to 1,031 and 586 respectively. Twelve motors of a total capacity of 31J H.P. were connected, our total connected load, irrespective of bulk supply, being 22,334 K.W. Work has been very largely of a constructive nature, two men being at Monowai on new switchgear, and two others working on the 66,000 volt disconnects. These are now completed at a remarkably low’ cost, the approximate saving per switch being £lO. The usual meter testing and transformer overhaul has been maintained. EFFECT OF RECENT GALES. The construction party was engaged in several parts of the district, and managed a good month’s w’ork despite the very adverse weather conditions. Eight services were erected, together with a considerable amount of line work necessitated by altering load conditions. We are pleased to be able to report a growth in domestic load in the Alton Districts. At the end of the month, all ordinary routine was dropped, in order to allow the staff to cope with the rush of fault calls brought on by the heavy gales. Feeders tripped on 33 occasions, 13 of which were due to unknown causes. This area suffered worst during the gale at the end of the month and several days were required to restore normal service. It is satisfactory to be able to report that the damage suffered by the Board’s works was negligible, but on the other hand, many services were interrupted, due to fallen trees, branches, broken poles etc. The construction party has worked at Kennington, Otaitai, Myross, Oteramika, Waituna etc, chiefly on services, and a trip was made to Spar Bush to help Winton. The rest of the time was filled with maintenance w’ork. Feeders opened on 10 occasions from unknown causes, the other momentary interruptions being due to switching and fault operations. Snow fell in this area, and interrupted service on most lines for varying periods on June 29. The troubles were cleared, however, in good time. Other major faults were due to normal causes, with the exception of one, caused by tree felling. One construction party worked in the Kingston, Riversdale, Wendonside, Wyndham, and Glenham districts, all this being to meet extended load conditions. The other party, which it has been necessary to keep on, worked at Charlton, Gore, Waikaka, Pomahaka, Tapanui and Otama, which gives an idea of the varied scope and widespread demand.