ELECTRIC POWER

Southland Times, Issue 22487, 23 January 1935, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER

SOUTHLAND BOARD MEETS OFFICERS’ REPORTS. The first monthly meeting for the year of the Southland Electric Power Board was held yesterday, Mr W. Hinchey (chairman) presiding over the following members: Messrs J. T. Carswell, W. McChesney, G. Wraytt, D. J. Heenan, P. Arnott, W. Norman, A. A. Mac Gibbon, A. le H. Hoyles, E. K. Sim and W. J. McKenzie. ■The chairman outlined the objects of the proposed secretariat to be established in Wellington for the Power Boards and Electric Supply Authorities Association, and it was decided to send delegates to the annual conference of the association at Dunedin this week. Messrs McChesney and Arnott were appointed delegates to discuss the proposed secretariat and the chairman and secretary were authorized to attend the conference. Chief Engineer’s Report, The chief engineer (Mr L. B. Hutton) reported for the month of December as follows:— Power Station.—The month’s output was 2,185,590 units, which shows a very substantial increase on December of 1933. The maximum half hours load was 6400 k.w., and 6200 k.w. were carried for a full hour on 20/12/34. The rainfall was 1.54 inches, and the lake commenced the month at the 10ft 2in level, and finished at 9ft 2in. The lake discharge averaged 325 cusecs, and the power station consumption 301 cusecs. Transmission Line.—At Lochiel, one of the 42ft poles was removed in good condition and replaced by a 52ft, in order to afford clearance for a new circuit. At the Aparima crossing, holes scoured out during the last flood were filled and covered with groins. Winton Area.—Eleven service lines were erected, being distributed fill over the area. A large number of 30ft and 35ft poles were removed from the Western District, carted to Glencoe and reerected on a guaranteed extension. A number of 35fts were also carted to Lochiel for the network alterations there. At Winton the Kelman oil switch was erected on the outdoor 11,000 volt bypass structure. A certain amount of maintenance was done in and about Winton;

Invercargill Area.—Twelve service lines were erected, four being for milking and the rest for lighting. Most of these services were neai' the town. The men were occupied for the greater part of the month near and about Makarewa on the new network, and in salvaging poles and line material for the work. At Ryal Bush, the position of the transformer was moved to fit in with the new position .of the air break switches, and an • extra transformer was erected at Riverton for . the holiday season. Small extensions were made at Branxholme, Myross and Waimatua. Following on the protracted dry spell, the small amount of rain that fell searched out defects in several insulators and the leakage resulting from this caused a number of feeder trips on the system. Gore Area—The construction party erected eight service lines in various parts of the district, including two for show purposes. At Wyndham, high and low tension was- reconditioned, poles blocked and services restrained. In Gore, a further and final, stage was reached with the street lighting, the new transformers etc. being erected and the necessary wiring done in the pumping station. Several faults were experienced due, as in the case of Invercargill, to the prolonged dry spell, adversely affecting 11,000 volt insulators. House Wiring.—Twenty-five consumers were secured during the months, and 23 installations connected; 75 extensions were made to old jobs; fwo ranges and 30 motors of a total horsepower of 26 Were connected. The additional connected load was 90 k.w. Two hundred arid fifteen installations were re-inspected, which brings the total to date up to 5226. Secretary’s Report.

The secretary (Mr Charles Campbell) reported that the cash received from electricity consumers during the period April 1 to December 31 totalled £96,202, being an increase of £4312 over the corresponding months in the previous financial year. The income from arrears of rates is now £9457. The estimated income from'this source was £7OOO. With regard to the current year’s rates—the estimated cash income by March 31, i.e., £22,250, should be obtained without difficulty. The total cash received by the board for the nine months ending December 31 was £114,932 (including eleetricity sales, rates, showroom sales, etc.). The power fund expenditure to December 31 was £82,436 which indicates that the total general expenditure for the financial year will be within the estimate.

The improvement in the net cash available at December 31, 1934, is therefore £24,985 1179. The unpaid Invercargill City account of £lBOO would have further increased the cash available. The excess overdraft stands as follows. It was not in operation at 21/12/1933:— Invercargill National Bank of New Zealand 8,250 London National Bank of New Zealand 16,250 Total £24,500 This is a set-off against the accumulated sinking fund. The Power Fund London Account became in Dr. due to interest on excess overdraft there up to December 31, 1934. A remittance has now been sent to cover the debit so as to save further interest charges. The special loan account Invercargill is in Dr. in the board’s books to the amount of £616 9/3. The bank account is actually showing a credit balance of £303 2/2. Special loan owes power fund £919 11/5. This is mainly due to payments in regard to Gore office buildings, etc., not having been adjusted. Before special loan can repay power fund account it will be necessary to transfer money from power fund No.

3 to cover the sum mentioned, and to provide for commitments pending and also to cover sale of stores, materials and assets made since the passing of Section 20 of the Finance Act, 1934. Action in regard to these matters is being held up pending the board’s position under the said section 20 being clarified. The reports were adopted.

The position of the board’s funds was as follows on December 31 (last year’s figures are given for the purposes ■ of comparison):— 1934-35 Dr. Cr. Power Fund A/c Nat. 10,733 Bank of N.Z. 18 0 Power Fund A/c Fixed Deposits Nat. Bank of N.Z. 10,000 0 0 Power Fund No. 4 423 In’giil S. Bank 6 0 Power Fund Mataura 223 Bank N.Z. 3 11 Power Fund A/c London Nat. Bank of N.Z. Ltd. 205 10 11 Group Assurance Commission A/c In’giil Savings Bank 7 19 10 Power Fund No. 3 3,565 Nat. Bank of N.Z. 3 4 Fixed Deposits Power Fund No. 3 Nat. Bank of N.Z. Ltd. 74,000 0 0 Special Loan A/c In’giil Nat. Bank of N.Z. Ltd. GIG 9 3 Power Fund No. 2 A/c Nat. Bank of N.Z. 1,116 7' 6 822 0 2100,069 18 7 Nett amount of cash available at Dec. 31 after providing for accounts in Dr. 99,247 18 5 100,069 18 7 100,069 18 7 After providing for the Dr. accounts the net cash available at December 31 from all sources compares as follows:- £ s. d December 31, 1934 99,247 18 74,262 6 5 December 31, 1933 8 £24,985 11 9