ELECTRIC POWER

Southland Times, Issue 22041, 14 June 1933, Page 12

ELECTRIC POWER

SOUTHLAND BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Southland Electric Power Board was held yesterday. There were present: Messrs W. Hinchey (chairman), J. D. Rodger, E. K. Sim, A. le H. Hoyles, T. Golden, A. A. Mac Gibbon, W. M. Norman, P. Arnott, D. J. Heenan, G. A. Wrayt, W. McChesney and J. T. Carswell. Chief Engineer’s Report. The monthly report of the chief engineer (Mr L. B. Hutton) stated:— Power station: The month’s total output was 2,509,250 units. This is the largest output reached to date. The biggest day was on Friday, the 12th, when 92,210 units were generated. A peak of 6220 k.w r . was recorded for half an hour on Monday, the Bth. from 5 to 5.30 p.m. and on Friday, the 12th. a peak of 6080 k.w. lasted for a full hour. In view of the high level of the Waiau river, with the consequent reduction in effective turbine head, steps were taken early in the month to reduce the demand a little, and thanks are due to several large consumers for so readily complying with our request. It is felt that some measure of care is still necessary, but that the demand will ease after the middle of the month. The rainfall for the month was recorded at the village as 6.72 in. which only serves to indicate how little the village rainfall is indicative of the lake catchment rainfall. In April, for instance, we recorded 8.72 in. at the village; but we had no floods in April. Winton Area.—From the operation point of view, the month was quiet, there being only the major stoppage. This occurred on No. 1 feeder, due to a broken wire at Northope. Services erected totalled seven, and were distributed all over the area. The construction party started the month at Orepuki, replacing a transformer at Monkey Island, taking down two airbreak switches for repairs, and overhauling H.T. and L.T. lines at Tuatapere and Te Wae Wae. On No. 3 feeder (Winton-Ohai) the inspection and overhaul of galvanized iron lines was continued, the chief work necessary being cutting out damaged wire at ties, retying and resagging. Some 11,000 volt insulators were salvaged at Centre Bush. In the Waianiwa district, service lines were overhauled, and in many cases a distinct improvement made which should reduce fault calls. The flooding of rivers during the month caused some inconvenience, and riverside poles were threatened in several places. Where deemed advisable, these were removed.

Invercargill Area.—There was only one major interruption in service. This occurred on No. 5 feeder, and was due to a broken H.T. fuse base. The feeder was cut for just over an hour. Five service lines were erected, all being single phase. Service was re-established to the Rosedale Woollen Mills, this necessitating the replacment of 100 K.V.A. transformer. At Taramoa, two 5 K.V.A. were paralleled to carry an increased load, and on the Bluff feeder, two three phase groups were replaced by single phase. A large transformer was removed from the New River Ferry. At Mabel Bush, trees were cut and surplus line material removed. Much the same was done at Timpany’s where road line cut-outs were also erected. Four poles were replaced near Invercargill. Gore Area.—There were three major interruptionns. No. 4 had one hour’s stoppage due to twisted wires at Arthurton; No. 5 stopped for one and a quarter hours due to accidental contact with guard iron; and on the 26th No. 1 tripped for one and a quarter hours due to a fallen tree at Kingston Crossing. The construction party continued work in the Mataura borough, between the railway line and the river, chiefly in River, Bridge and Denbigh streets. Decayed poles were replaced and new low tension mains were run. A further block of consumers were taken over, and the whole borough is now supplied from our lines. Two men were engaged in tapping service lines onto our lines, dismantling old wire, arms etc. and erecting the balance of the street lights on the parallel system. The whole of the street lighting is now converted from the series system. On No. 3 feeder three airbreak switches were removed for repair, and on No. 6 feeder, bird guards were placed on high tension fuses, trees cut and other maintenance carried out. House Wiring.—Eighteen new consumers were secured during the month, bringing our total up to 9547. Twelve installations were connected, and 59 extensions made to old installations. Four ranges and one motor were connected, the total added load being 40 k.w. Seventy premises were re-inspected. Secretary’s Report. The monthly report of the secretary (Mr Charles Campbell) stated:— “Cash receipts from sale of electricity, etc. up to May 31 in comparison with the same period last year are as follows :—• Electricity. 1933-34 1932-33 £ £ Sales and arrears and collections 18,748 19,312 Advance payments 3,224 3,687 21,997 22,999 Amounts below the previous year— Sales etc. 564 Advances 463 22,999 22,999 “Ordinary sales and arrears at this date are £564 below the previous year, while advance payments are £463 below the previous year. Over-all the de- I crease below the previous year is £1,027. “Tire position of the receipts at this date from other sources in comparison with the previous year is as follows :— 1933-34 1932-33 £ £ Rates 2,107 5,698 Interest earnings 405 252 Miscellaneous 1,096 1,087 Showroom 175 287 Advance payments 135 197 The position of the board’s funds at May 31, 1933 was as follows:— 1933-34 1932-33 £ £ Special loan, London 47 221 Special loan, Invercargill 115 351 Power Fund No. 3 open account 21,162 23,666 Power Fund No. 3 Fixed deposit 53,000 52,000 Power Fund No. 2 1,295 263 Power Fund No. 4 Invercargill Savings Bank 279 284 Power Fund Mataura 6 — Total cash available 75,904 76,785 Tire total cash available at this date is £BBl less than it was at the same date last year. The decrease is due to the Mataura payment. 881 76,785 76,785 The position of the board’s overdraft is as follows:— £ 1933-34 ‘ 21,556 1932-33 20,434 Increase above the previous year at this date £1,122