POWER BOARD

Wairarapa Daily Times, 18 April 1935, Page 5

POWER BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting was held at Carterton to-day,' Mr C. Pearce presiding.

Apologies for absence were received from Messrs R. J. King and W. Howard Booth.

Tho secretary-manager reported, inter alia, as follows: — The final revenue returns for the last month of the yca'r were very satisfactory, and have further improved tlio sound financial position, which lias been commented upon from time to time in the monthly reports. Compared with the estimate, the ordinary nett revenue from consumers showed a gain of £295 2s 7d. The revenue from bulk supply for the January-March quarter also showed a gain on tho estimate, the amount being £136 2s 4d. The cost of power for the JanuaryMarch quarter was considerably less than the estimate, the gain amounting to £430 4s 4d. It will be seen from the above figures that as a result of returns received at the end of March, our position for the year has been further improved to the extent of £B6l 9s 3d, and this has assisted very materially to produce tho very satisfactory profit on the year’s working referred to later in the report. The balanee sheet has been completed, and I am very pleased to be able to state that, after paying out of revenue the sum of £2867 11s 6d for storm damage, and transferring from revenue the sum of £I7OO for capital expenditure on extensions and service connections, and after making the usual allowance for depreciation, we show a nett clear profit of £1364 5s 4d. This very satisfactory result is not due to an abnormal increase in any one particular direction, but due to a general improvement in all classes of load, to an increased turnover in tho trading department, and to the fact that the expenditure has been kept down as low as possible. The revenue has exceeded the estimate by £3070 5s Id. Excluding storm damage, tlie expenditure is £1093 11s 9d loss than the estimate. Including storm damage, the expenditure is £1773 19s 9d more than tlie estimate. The storm damage amounted to £2867 31s 6d. The secretary said that though the cost of power was down and. revenue up, this is an exceptional condition, due to natural weather conditions. It was not a good basis from a point of estimating power cost for the next year. Accounts for the month, amounting to £1914 19s lid, were passed for payment. The engineer'reported that there had been no major interruptions to the supply during the month. The chairman did not favour the -suglast meeting of the year for the chairman to give a report. Ho remarked' that the position disclosed the excellent condition of the Board. Tho balance sheet was exceptionally outstanding, and if it had not been for the storm damage costing £3OOO there would have been a clear profit of £4230. There had been an all round increase in revenue. Ho considered that the Boaid would! again be able to reduce charges by approximately £3OOO. This meeting could discuss this matter although no definite decision could be come to by the present board. Ho considered that reductions should be for lighting and heating and that the reduction in dairy motors last .year should be continued. He recommended the following reductions: —Domestic lighting to sid per unit net, general domestic heating 23 d, commercial lighting (Ist 100 units per month) 5Jd, and all over 100 units per month 4Jd. He congratulated the staff on having the report and balance sheet ready for this meeting. Mr H. P. Hugo supported the reduction to dairy farmers, and it should be continued. Tho farmers still needed help. He supported the suggestions in tlie chairman’s report. The chairman not in favour the suggestion of a reduction of one penny per unit for lighting to those consumers who have installed and use am electric range and water heater at present. Mr S. Dalgloish considered that the idea was to encourage tlie use of more electricity. He knew of some who were not using already installed ranges.

Mr„l. Grace said that in making suggestions and recommendations for reductions they were losing sight of the fact that the Board was experiencing an upward trend and there may not be much more improvement next year. The proposed range campaign, if able to induce the instalment of more ranges, would entail capital expenditure. The chairman said that as this meeting marked the close of the term of office of the present board, he thanked the members for their able assistance. 1-Ie considered that it was wrong that all members should retire at one time. However, they could not alter that. He congratulated the secretary-manager, to whom great credit was due, and also to his staff. The chairman hoped that in seeking re-election the present members would again have the confidence of consumers.

Tt was decided that the annual meet ing be held on Thursday, 30th May.