POWER BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 13 October 1926, Page 13

POWER BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tho monthly meeting of the South Canterbury Power Board was held yesterday. Present —Messrs J. Kennedy (chairman), C. J. Talbot, C. E. Kerr, S. I. Pitch, J. B. Drinnaii, \V. A upland, G. Saunders, G. J. "Wallace, E. Bruce, and W. Hayman.

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT. ' The chairman stated that on tho 18th September a conference called by tho South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce was held in Timaru, when, owing ito liis absence from the district, tho I Board was represented by Colonel j Mackenzie. The conference deserved special mention, as having been attend!ed by representatives of every local body connected with hydro electricity, from and including Ashburton to Oamaru. Various resolutions were carried with a view to impressing upon the Government the necessity of an early decision in regard to a second source of supply for Canterbury. It I was expected that a further conference' will be called shortly to meet tho Minister of Public Works when ho : visits this district. He could not report the usual satisfactory progress in securing guarantees during the, past month. The responso in connection with tho Otipua extension and the . Sutherlands to Cave lino had been disappointing. The majority of tiro possible consumers had got the idea that tbo lines will be built owing to tho fact that the route had been laid out, and also that in no case had the Board so far abandoned a proposed line. Ho I could sets no course open but to leave tho lino in abeyance. Probably after they had reticulated the Waimato County there would be sufficient guarantees forthcoming to warrant tho carrying out of tho work, otherwise tho main work in tho Levels County was within sight of completion. Owing to' the wet weather ho was unable, to make his usual tour of inspection last week. Mr Morrison was at present on the sick list and would bo off work for about a month, during which time Mr TemplSn would giyo personal supervision to construction. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE’S ■ REPORT. Tho Executive Committee reported as follows : —Tho foljowing accounts have been checked and are recommended for payment: Geraldine Loan £2OO 11s 4d, Geraldine Advances £398 14s, Waimato Borough Loan £26 2s Id, Waimato Advances £lO 15s, Levels Loan £2139 11s Gd, Levpls Advances £23 7s Gd, Waimato County £I9BO Os lid, Power Fund Account £447 10s 3d. Reporting faults.—An offer from tho Post and Telegraph Department has been accepted, under which tho public may, phono to the Post Office reporting breaks; on the line, and the messages ywill: b'4? passed on to tho Board’s officers.' ,Tho cost of toll .calls to bo 1 charged to the Board. ! \ No settlement has been reached as ;to the Board’s claim against tho contractors for the cost of replacing faulty /insulators. Tho manufacturers refuse "to make any allowance, and yonr com-, iHfittee reedmmends that our solicitors’, jojijnion be taken as to (the legal posiTho; Ternuka, Orari and Clandeboye Dairy Companies have written asking that when repair work is being carried out, power-should only be off between ;9 .a.m. and \4 p.m. Tho letters have ' been referred to the District Electrical {Engineer,; Public Workg Department. The Chamber of Conirnerco has written asking for . a contribution to its funds, and your committee recommends .that’tho Board make a grant of £5 ss. 1 Diiring" " the month of September, .Coleridge bower was off on fir© days. On the 10th it was off for three hours,' but all other breaks were of only a few minutes’ duration. Reports will bo submitted to-day showing tho, position of tho work in Love’s, and the results of canvassing. Your committee recommends the Board to, definitely abandon any lines proposed, in .the Levels area that are not. now Sufficiently guaranteed. Tho manager stated that the Executive Committee had met that morning, and had decided to call tenders for the erection of a workman’s cottage at Crnmoor Road. Tho report was adopted. Tho Canterbury Employers’ Association advised acceptance of an agree- • mont in regard to the linesmen’s dispute. ', It was resolved that the agreement bb accepted. and that a vote of thanks ho. accordod to Mr C. Dash and Mr Prinio (secretary, of tho Canterbury Am pip vers’ Association), for effecting a satisfactory conclusion of the dispute. * DOMESTIC RATES. Reporting on tho charge made for current, Mr J. R. Temp)in considered it would be advisable to include a rate to cater for tne consumer who had guaranteed a substantial annual sum. He .said that there appeared to be a little trouble with the water heating rate and genera) purpose motor for largo country consumers, and he suggested the loiiowing:— Domestic Rate, including lighting, heating, .cooking, general purpose motor and water heating—(a) Consumers guaranteeing 30s pov month with cooking appliances exceeding 3 k.iy., high rate units al, Bd, .ns per schedule in domestic, rate, all units in excess of these at cooking ruin. Water heating from 9.30 p.m. to 7.30 a.m. $d per unit, heater to ho on double thrown switch with range, and must notexceed 1J k.w. capacity. Tho Board yyill install, necessary time switch, but consumer mu at pnv for n minimuttf of 240 units per month on low rate meter. Motors for general purposes not exceeding 2 h.p. can be installed with no additional guarantee, but current used will be metered ami charged at 3d per unit. (b) Consumers guaranteeing 40s per month with ooolcjng 'njip!>.*neey vroced- ; ing 5 k.w., oMirgo cobdffiohs of supply same' ; 'as:'tiboyc; "except water heater, limited to 2i k.w., capacity, and motor to 3 h.p. (c) Consumers '.guaranteeing 4. is per month or over with cooking appliances exceeding 5 k.w.,/vuter. hriitei limited to 2| k.w. niid 'lTjbthr Tr> .5 h.p. ■. .The above covers the situation as well as'we ore able to at present, the only voora' for criticism being I lie wafer heater on;a' double throw switch with the range. Owing to transformer loading I ennoot recommend allowing the heriter to he ;sc'd at the same time ns the range.