POWER FOR ARARATA

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1935, Page 2

POWER FOR ARARATA

PETITION BEFORE POWER BOARD. KAPONGA BOARD AGREEMENT. Settlers in the Ararata district petitioned the South Taranaki Power Board at yesterday’s monthly meeting to supply electric power to them. It was decided on the suggestion of the chairman, Mr. J. B. Murdoch, to refer the matter to the engineer for a report. The petition was presented by Mr. J. E. Campbell, who said that Mr. T. A. Winks, at whose request he presented it, had stated that more than the 24 on the petition would take power. The chairman said that the district had been canvassed before, but that there were more names on the petition than had been received in the canvass. A long line would be necessary, and the district was not a large dairying one. The taking over of consumers on Manaia Road from the Kaponga Town Board was reported by the chairman, who said he and the engineer had met the board. The position was that the Town Board, while providing light to consumers on the road, could not give the service as conveniently as the power board. The arrangement was that the power board should take over the poles, insulators and other equipment as far as Neil Road at a price satisfactory to both bodies. The action of the chairman and engineer was ratified. The Egmont A. and P. Association wrote expressing appreciation of the donation by the board of trophies and prize money for the show. The engineer, Mr. T. R. Overton, reported that 205,700 units had been generated and 397,566 purchased from the Public Works Department in July, an increase of 14,966 over the corresponding month of last year. The increase in the maximum demand of kilowatts was 125. The Vickers-Petter engine ran 15 hours for peak reducing purposes. The river flow had been from 12 to 30 inches over the crest of the weir. The powerhouse plant was in good working order. •Line construction work had been carried out on Lower Taumaha, Ohangai, South, Skeet, Turuturu and Upper Manaia roads. Nineteen service lines .and 38 service poles had been erected, and additions made to six other service lines. The bulk supply had operated without interruption. An ✓ arranged shut-down took place on Sunday, July 21, when the board’s station took the district load for about three hours. A fault on the Tongahoe hill cut power off the Patea feeder on August 5, and three insulators adjacent to each other on separate poles were found broken, and had to be renewed. It was difficult to ascertain the cause of the breaks, but the evidence pointed to their being wilfully broken, or hit directly with lightning. Permits issued, for different classes of work numbered 115, and 138 inspections were made. There was no opportunity during the month-for re-inspections. Surveys and plans were made for line extensions at Manutahi and upper Manaia Road. Otautu and Opaku had been tentatively surveyed for constructional cost purposes, also Turuturu and Austin roads.

The bulk supply agreement with the Public Works Department would expire on March 31 next year, and he considered that its negotiations should be opened with the department for its renewal. The Hawera Borough Council had asked for plans for a community lighting system, and also suggestions for additions to its street lighting.

The »new consumers numbered 19, bringing the total to 3132, with a total connected load of 8267 kilowatts, an increase for the month of 168 kilowatts.

Those present were Messrs. Murdoch (chairman),' J. E. Campbell, A; J. Christie, E. A. Pacey, F. Parsons, D. Hurley junr., E. A.' Washer, E. Long, J. W. Snowdon and W. Rothery.