VALLEY ELECTRICITY.

Thames Star, Volume LIX, Issue 16799, 29 May 1926, Page 5

VALLEY ELECTRICITY.

WORK FOR THE YEAR. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. A PROFITABLE PERIOD. Reporting on the year’s work, Mr F. H. Claxton, chairman of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board, said: The demand for electricity has steadily increased, and the volume of business in our trading department has been maintained. Requests for extensions to our system have continued throughout the year, a number of which have been completed, a number more authorised, and others are being investigated. The year has been marked by an absence of serious accidents, two having occurred from which the sufferers are now almost recovered, and one other in which some valuable stock were killed. Among the items of more than ordinary interest are:— 1. The Public Works Department’s decision to construct a 50,000 volt line from Bombay to Waikino with a substation at Kerepeehi. This will act as a duplicate supply to our whole system, and will be of immense value to our whole area, in the event of any dislocation of the present supply. 2. The construction by the Department of a line from Katikati to Waikino. This has on several occasions proved its value by supplying curi'ent to the northern part of our system duiing temporary dislocation of the Horahora supply. 3. The purchase by the Board of three sets of synchronous condensers, which will act as voltage regulators and power factor correctors, will result in greater value of supply to the consumers and considerable saving to the Board, in power purchase. 4. The purchase of a number of sets of leakage relays to secure greater safety to human and animal life in the event of falling wires. The decision of the Board to purchase an area of land at Waitakaruru for tree planting for poles. This will, I believe, result in a supply of poles in 25 to 30 years at present-day prices and give a handsome reutrn on the capital invested. 6. The completion of additions to Horahora, thus increasing its capacity to 10,300 K.W. 7. The decision of the Department to double the transformer capacity of the feed point at Waihou. This has now been completed. This should remove for some time all fear of any trouble from overloading. 8. The successful carrying on May 12th. of the poll to borrow a further £150,000 for extensions as required. This amount will provide, for a considerable time, sufficient funds to meet all demands for supply of power. Our purchases of current from Horahora give an indication of the steady growth of our demand, and are as fol-

low: March, 1923, 3,785,000 units; 1924, 7,019,366 units; 1925, 10,198,688 units; 1926. approximately 14,000,000 units. A recent communication from the Department gives the units generated at Horahora as 65,000,000, also purchases, principally from Tauranga, 1,500,000, a total of 65,500,000. This has been disposed of as follows: Loss in transmission, 12 per cent; Waihi G.M. Co., 2*7 per cent.; Thames Valley Power Board, 21 per cent.; Auckland Power Board, 20 per cent.; Central Power Board, 6 per cent.; To Awamutu Power Board, 32 per cent.; Cambridge Power Board, 3 per cent.; Hamilton Borough Council, 3 per cent.; Arapuni constructios, 2 per cent. Sales of electricity have amounted to £76,302, as against £59,001 for the previous year, and returns from the trading department reached £42,997 as against £33,232 for the preceding year. The nett result of the year’s income and expenditure is a surplus of £1267/5/2, which will be added to our reserve fund. I would strongly urge that a definite sum be set aside this year as a renewal fund to augment the reserves already in hand, and thus provide the means to meet any contingency that may arise.

The sales of water-heaters have increased very largely and will provide a considerable profitable revenue as their use is confined to off peak hours.

The increased use of electricity for cooking is evidenced by its percentage of our total load rising from .98 in 1925 to 3.96 in 1926. I predict a very rapid advance in this direction, and feel sure that a very substantial pro portion of the Board’s revenue will be accrued from the use of electricity in the home. An indication of the more varied uses of the current purchased is the fact that in 1925 power purchases amouned to £21,251, and sales £59,001, and in 1926, purchases £25,627 and sales £76,302, showing an increase of £4346 in power purchased resulting in an advance of £17,200 in sales of current. To members of the Board I am again indebted for a year of keen interest and hearty participation in the general administration. As this is my final meeting, I would like to tender my deep appreciation of your general attitude towards me whilst I have had (Continued at bottom of next column.)

the pleasure of leading the Board’s affairs. Your thorough knowledge of local body procedure has resulted in an avoidance of all unnecessary discussion, an observance of the rules of debate, and a prompt business-like handling of the various matters submitted to you. Your unquestioned acceptance of my rulings, and your loyal support during the whole of my term have made my service a pleasure and our joint achievement a pride. Together we have been enabled to lay the solid foundation of an institution that is proving of immense benefit to-day within the scope of our operations and will be of increasing value as the years go by in eliminating the drudgery of the farm, the workshop and the home. I also appreciate the work of the Press during the past year, in the accuracy with which the meetings have been reported.