ELECTRICAL PROGRESS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2477, 1 December 1921, Page 5

ELECTRICAL PROGRESS

CONTRACTORS’ ANNUAL REPORT

THE BOAED CONGRATULATED

The following extremely interesting first annual report of the contractors to the Cambridge Electric Power Board, Messrs Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., was read at Tuesday’s meeting, the information imparted being greeted with many expressions of satisfaction from the members: —

We take much pleasure in- placing before you our report in connection with tlie Board’s activities since your value#d contract was placed in our hands', said the writers.

Referring to the period immediately following the date of your instructions to ourselves, Ve’would recall to your mind the worrying experience which we had in obtaining delivery of materials. For a considerable period it appeared to be impossible to .get raate vials lon the job. The. first contracts to be let were those for poles, insulators and copper. Some little time was spent in endeavouring to get more definite undertakings from the various suppliers. We were unsuccessful, however, in attaining this end and contracts for the above materials had to be placed with no definite undertaking on the part of the supplier. This result, however, was not in any way surprising, as at that time contractors would not give firm prices, and firm delivery, as owing to the unsettled condition of the supply markets and shipping, binding agreements were impossible. The next order to be placed was the order for transformers. Fortunately, no difficulty was experienced in connection with this order, as the transformers began to arrive just at the time when they were required. The whole of the pole contract was placed with Australian contractors, and for very many months it was found quite impossible to obtain shipping space for poles. This made progress impossible—in fact pole deliveries have become reasonable only during the last few months, when wo have actually had a few poles in hand. Had poles been available, as we expected them to havo been, the whole of the contract would have been finished by this date. A further difficulty has been experienee,4 with our insulator deliveries.We are 'still having some slight difficulty in this connection, but we believe that .this has also passed. We have a few spare insulators in hand to-day, and the contractors assure us that they expect to be able to keep up with our requirements in the future. No trouble ..has been experienced with copp'efidelivcries, and indeed, had it been known definitely that so much trouble would have been experienced v with- the shipment of poles, fulfilment of tnc major portion of the copper order could have been delayed for sev- . oral months. During the earlier stages of the contract also, another great, difficulty experienced was with labour. At that time we found that all of the Power Boards in the Waikato area had commenced their activities, and indeed, were well under way. They were calling for a class of labour which was at that period very scarce indeed, and we had much difficulty in getting together a sufficient number of men. These two important factors, the shortage of material, and the difficulty with labour, made progress during the earlier stages very slow indeed. Both of these factors were, unfortunately, largely beyond our control. Unfortunately just at the time, when material became plentiful and the labour difficulty had disappeared, the Board ran out of funds and had to make arrangements for the new loan. It was found necessary, in order to keep work proceeding continuously, to discharge a large number of men and work on with a very small staff. This ' period of inactivity lasted for some time and very little progress' of note was made. Since then, however, money has become available and it was found possible to push the work ahead at a very much greater rate. Your. Board will probably have noticed that during the past few weeks much greater progress has been made than at any time previous. One great contributingfactor to this progress is the fact that the labour when taken on was quite untrained. Since then tho men have developed a greater knowledge/of the work and better progress has been an immediate result. W| also have'been able > to employ a much greater number of men than at any time heretofore. Almost half the complete number of poles ordered have been erected. Thirty-four route miles of copper have been livened up. As a number of these lines are situated in the Borough and Leamington, this represents almost 140 miles of copper now. use. Ten miles of poles are erected l complete with ' cress arms, insulato?sp.-etc., and the emotion of lines on these poles is now proceeding rapidly. There are also nine miles of lines complete waiting for the erection of one or two pole type substations, when this section will also be livened up. At that date there will be altogether 53 route miles of electric lines in commission. Twenty-three substations are now in commission. In the Borough of Cambridge 190 consumers are connected to your lines; in Leamington 37. The-"number of farms using electric life to date is 44, and the number of farm motors actually running is 22. There are altogether 25 motors running in the Borough, developing a total of S 3 h.p., and at an early date we expect to have running in the Borough

five electric ranges. We believe that this position is a very satisfactory one. We would state, however, that we arc somewhat disappointed in the number of farms coming on to our lines. In the districts already reticulated, probably only one out of every four possible farms have taken electric power. We believe, however, that next milking season will see probably three times the present number connected to our lines in the districts mentioned. There are local conditions of which the Board knows more than we do ourselves, which have contributed largely to the small number of farmers taking electric power. An interesting feature in connection with the uses of electric power in the Borough is the number of purposes to which this power lias been put. Electric motors have been used for water pumping, garages, ice cream machines, printing machines, engineering shops, butchers’ shops, boot-repairing shops, furniture ma'Chinery, joinery machinery, moving pictures, vulcanising machines, bake house machinery, and for driving coach factory machinery. In connection with the rates which are being charged for the supply of electric power and lighting, we have been somewhat anxious regarding tho ultimate outcome, in view of the fact that the total committment on the whole scheme will be more than that taken.into account in arriving at these rates. The results to date* however, have been very much better than we

anticipated and we believe that by vigorously advertising the many advantages of using electric power, the revenue should be very much increased. The basis on which the Board’s revenue was reckoned was that of the third year’s operation, and we consider that the first few months’ returns are indeed remarkable. This rate of expansion, however, cannot be maintained, and no doubt the receipts during the next six months will not increase in the ratio already experienced.

Wo think, therefore, that the rates already struck for electricity will be found quite satisfactory for at least the next two-year period. The result of the second year’s work will be a much more accurate basis to figure upon than the result of the first year. So far, we are pleased to report that no difficulty has been experienced with the system adopted, and as far as we can see, the only exigency that will demand an alteration of the present system is the possible requirement of greater revenue.

In conclusion, we must record our keen appreciation of the very kindly consideration we have received at all t ines from your Board, and each of its members. When the contract was commenced. a number of delays were experienced which were very difficult to explain. To really appreciate the difficulties. of an importer at that period, one had really to experience such difficulties, and the marked courtesy and helpful comment of each member of your Board during that trying period was of very great assistance indeed. We believe that a very - solid foundation: for the business of the Board has been laid down, and we have to congratulate the Board upon attaining this end. The Board is just about to enter upon its second year’s existence, and we. take this opportunity of wishing you and your Board a very satisfactory and prosperous year. Comments Mr W. Harbutt, acting chairman, considered the report a most gratifying one. The opinion among some farmers seemed to be that electricity was too costly to run in comparison with oil engines, but anyone who had converted his plant had the pleasure of knowing that electric power was not only cheaper but was proving absolutely' reliable. Mr G. Watt believed this was so, and thought it was significant that thiecfourths of the set tiers in the Hautapu district were anxious to join up at once. , Mr W. J. White thought the Board was surely to be congratulated on the number of consumers, on the register. The progress of the work, as shown in the report, called for the highest praise. Mr J. W. Garland and Mr J. S. Fisher both endorsed the remarks of the other speakers,, and pointed out that the workmen were now taking an increasing interest in their work and were undoubtedly pushing thing ahead steadily. Mr H. C. Oaten drew attention to the fact that the firfct section of the Waipa County’s line is to be livened up this week. The report was adopted.