ELECTRIC POWER.

Wairarapa Age, 15 March 1933, Page 6

ELECTRIC POWER.

MEETING OF THE WAIRARAPA BOARD.

The Wairarapa Electric Power Board held its monthly meeting at Carterton yesterday. Present: Messrs H. P. Hugo, W. H. Buick, IS. Dalgleish, T. Grace, W. Howard Booth, W. A. Tate and W. Benton. Mr. Booth was appointed chairman of the meeting The Secretary-Manager (Mr. Geo. Brown), in his monthly report, stated that compared with the corresponding month of last year the revenue return for February was satisfactory, and further strengthened the board’s financial position for the year. The gross revenue increased by £228 19s 3d and the net revenue decreased by £153 Is sd. The sales of electricity showed an increase and the reduction in net revenue was due to the increased discounts allowed. The actual results showed a decided gain on the estimates.

The number of consumers now connected to the board's mains now totalled 4501 as under: Masterton 22'55; Carterton 917; Greytown 351; Featherston 460. Estimates accepted totalled 4506.

The position in connection with installation work remains about the same. Permits for nine new jobs and 37 additions were issued in February, compared with 16 and 46 for the corresponding months last year. The permits issued included 2 cookers, 2 water heaters, and 3 motors. The new load actually connected to the mains in February included 67 light points, 30 heat points, one cooker, one water heater, and three motors. The peak load so far this quarter had exceeded the estimate 145 k.w. To compensate for this, the freezing works load was 300 k.w. in excess of the estimate on which the revenue from bulk sales was based. The increase in the peak load was due entirely to this increase in the freezing works load.

Showroom sales and repairs were well maintained during February, the total being £206 18s lid as against £2ll' 11s lid for the corresponding month last year. The amount -outstanding on consumers accounts at the end of February was £2729 15s 6d as against £2455 0s

9d last year. Capital expenditure during the month amounted to £ll2 6s 7d.

The Engineer (Mr. H. B. KeenazQ reported that during the month seven service connections were erected in the northern area, two in the central area, and one in the southern area. The overhaul of the town reticulation of Featherston was almost completed. The secretary mentioned that the additional reduction of ten per cent, on debenture interest would probably enable the board to make a further reduction of a 4d per unit for light and heat, bringing the charge down to 6d net per unit.

Accounts amounting to £3049 6s 3d were passed. It was decided to insure the Board's apparatus against damage by fire in the Waingawa iSub-statiom Authority was given the Guardian Trust to convert the Government Bonds which they are holding as Sinking Fund Commissioners for one of the Board's loans. The board endorsed Clauses B and C of the Auckland Provincial Power Boards with a view to reducing bulk supply charges: (B) The charge per K.V.A. per quarter to be based on the average of three monthly peaks per quarter each peak to last 30 minutes, (c) That the Public Works Department pass on to supply authorities any savings in interest reductions consequent in conversion of its loans on the Hydro Electric schemes.