CAMBRIDGE POWER

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 1190, 8 October 1945, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE POWER

BOARD'S MONTHLY MEETING DELEGATES' REPORT At the monthly meeting of the Cambridge Power Board last week the Board's delegates reported on the recent annual conference of the Supply Authorities. The delegates were Messrs M. Wells and J. W. Garland. Mr N. Garland was also an onlooker, while the engineer, Mr H. C. Oaten attended the engineers' conference held at the same time. Mr Wells gave a resume of the ti-eatment various remits received including one from the Cambridge Board on Supply Authorities' powers in connection with the cutting of overhanging trees and hedges, and which is reported upon elsewhere in this issue. Mr Wells said that the chief interest of delegates was an endeavour to get some reliable information on power prospects for the coming winter. It had been stated at the conference by Mr Kissel, the Chief Supply Controller, that if certain arrangements that were being made at Waikaremoana were successful, and that if the coal situation was no worse, then the position next year would be no worse than in the past winter. As previously announced power would not now be available from Karapiro until 1947 owing to generating units not being available from Britain as early as anticipated. Mr Wells said he had learned that these units could be had a few months earlier than stated, if the Dept. here was prepared to forego certain testing periods at Home. Work was now being pushed on at Mai*aetai and there was the prospect of supply in 1948. The delegates were thanked for their report. Mr W. Moore asked if the faultmen's service was available all day Sundays. He had been asked that question. The secretary-manager (Mr F. M. Oliver): Yes, at call any hour of the day or night. Each fauitman has 14 days on this duty and then seven days off it. Mr Moore was of the opinion that there should be more regular inspection of transformers. Cost of Water Heating. Mr Moore said he had had numerous complaints that under the metering system, the cost of water-heating was more expensive. This did not measure up with the Board's statements at the last annual meeting that ,it was out to give the consumers a cheaper service. "Since the meters went on the bills have gone up they tell me," stated Mr Moore. "We don't want to lose customers and one customer has told me that other heating is being installed. At the end of six months we said we would review the situation. I hope general information about the accounts will be made available as soon as possible.