SUB-STATION GEAR IN USE

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1932, Page 8

SUB-STATION GEAR IN USE

COMPLETE INFORMATION GIVEN.

METERS AND DIALS OF ALL SORTS.

The change-over to the new electric sub-station at Tawhiti was made unobtrusively last week. The new conditions will make for greater efficiency. The sub-station switch room into which 11,000-volt current is brought from the huge transformers that have broken it down from 110,000 volts is equipped with all the latest gear. It is all very impressive to the layman but it is easy to realise how great an improvement it

Formerly the current was just switched into the power board mains and meters. Now there is a mass of complicated machinery, the principal function of which appears to be to give information. Dials show tire efficiency at which the current is consumed, how much current and at' what amperage. Moreover this information is given in respect of each of the four sub-divisions of the board’s area, any, all or none of which can be supplied individually from the department. There are devices for cutting out supply to any section directly a fault occurs. An interesting adjunct to this apparatus is an alarm bell which rings loudly whenever an interruption occurs. These are just some of the devices in an installation which can supply apparently knowledge about any part of the area at any time. As well as the load meter in the substation,' which is constantly watched to see that the peak does not become too great, provision is made for the board to receive this information at Hawera. A telemeter carries the reading over the private telephone line. It has, of course, to be switched off when the telephone is in use.

The whole building incorporates many lessons learned from earthquake trouble. An example of this in the battery room; where storage batteries for emergency lighting are kept. Once such batteries were stood on shelves; now they are protected by a framework. That was a result of the Japanese earthquake. The gear includes several improvements recommended to the makers by the department. Part of the meters is a parlel which was originally screwed into place, but greater convenience has been obtained by having it hinged. Every half-hour the meter stamps the reading. The figures on the stamp were devised by the department to overcome trouble experienced with indistinct stamping, particularly with the figures 2 and 3. The new 2 has a round jop and the 3 a flat top, making confusion impossible.

W.D.F.U. CHRISTMAS TREE.

TREAT FOR ALTON CHILDREN.

. An enthusiastic gathering of mothers of the Women’s Division and their families met at the Alton hall on Tuesday afternoon to welcome Father Christmas. A large Christmas tree was erected in. the'middle of the hall and laden with presents and decorated with balloons and coloured streamers. It made a very pleasing sight to old. and young. The president, Mrs. W. E. Tayler, welcomed the visitors and after a short concert programme by the children the gifts were distributed by Father Christmas, everyone in the hall receiving a present. The number for the fire screen was 134, this being won by Mr. F. A. Tayler, Alton. The' doll’s name was “Merle,” the prize being won by Miss M. Large, Kaltaramea.

The musicians for the afternoon were Misses C. Gudgeon and G. Hall. Afternoon tea was served.

“IN OLD ARABIA.”

ENTERTAINMENT AT MANAIA. Bright entertainment was given at Manaia on Tuesday night when Mr. A. Lord McPherson’s company from Stratford presented “In Old Arabia,” a comedy full of vivacity and originality.-. “In Old Arabia” was composed and produced by Mr. McPherson and. the ballets were arranged by Miss Tui MacRae. Pretty scenery added to the attractiveness of the show. The chief; comedy roles were taken by . Mr. C. Till (Bud) and Mr. P. Healey (Weems), who kept the audience applauding as they produced one humorous situation after another. Mrs. Laird (Mrs. ’Arris), and Miss Longstaff (Mrs.

’Opkins), played delightful feminine comedy roles. Mohomed Ali was well played by Mr. J. Christie. Mr. McPherson was leader of the company and received capable support from Miss Uniacke (Marion) and; Miss .E. Gadsby (Joan).

Mr. McPherson was heard in a pjeasing song, “My Dream,” while with Miss Uniacke he sang “I Bring a Love Song.” Miss Gadsby sang “Moonlight on the Ganges” and Mr. Syd. Payne contributed Indian love lyrics. The ballets were bright, the stick ballet in particular claiming a large measure of praise. This consisted of Misses Mclsaacs (2), D. Cannon, B. Tunbridge, T. Skoglund, P. Anderson, N. Baker, H. Russ, M. Hartigan and P. Coudy, with Norma Spearman giving a solo operatic toe dance. Miss Tui MacRae gave a delightful tap dance and with her sister Jean a duo. Miss Harris was seen in an Eastern dance, while an excellent Eastern ballet was presented with Diana Cannon in the solo role. Miss Guthrie contributed an Egyptian dance. An acrobatic dance by Misses N. Spearman, Jean Macßae' and B. Irwin was another special number. Perhaps not the least of the dancing numbers was an amusing imitation of an Eastern dance by Mrs. Laird and Miss Longstaff. Accompaniments were played by Miss E Moon.

At the conclusion the performers were entertained at supper by the ladies’ committee, and on behalf of the Manaia Business Men’s Committee Mr. L. A. falters voiced appreciation of the company’s efforts.

ADVERTISERS’ ANNOUNCEMENTS.

The office of the South Taranaki Power Board will be closed from noon on Saturday until 9 a.m. on January 4. The Hawera Borough Council office will be closed from 4 p.m. to-morrow (Friday) until 10 a.m. on January 9. G. H. Perry and Co. advertise particulars of a sale by auction at their rooms, High Street, Hawera, to-day at 1.15 p.m. They will offer fruit, produce, poultry, furniture, etc. Smith and Trim, Ltd. advertise particulars of their mart sales for to-day in Nolan’s Buildings, Hawera, at 11 a.m. of fruit and produce and at 1.30 p.m. of poultry, ladies’ shoes, drapery, etc, and furniture.