ELECTRIC ENERGY

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 163, 19 July 1935, Page 2

ELECTRIC ENERGY

<2> CENTRAL H.B. BOARD ENGINEER’S REPORT To the Central Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board, which met yesterday, the Engineer (Mr. J. K. Lee) reported:— Control of Street Lighting. I have gone further into this matter, and hope to be able to give a demonstration of the apparatus at next board meeting. The cost of the equipment varies considerably, but outside the photo-electric apparatus, the contactor apparatus is reasonably inexpensive. The total cost of the four relay switches would be £lO 5/-. The photo-electric side varies in price from £l5 to £52, but the material I hope to be able to demonstrate is the least expensive of ■what is offering. Transformers. With the exception of one item, all the transformers authorised to be purchased have been ordered. The exception is the 50 k.v.a. 3300 volt transformer for better supply within the Borough of Waipukurau. Just after last meeting, an offer was received from Messrs. Tolley and Sons Of a 60 k.v.a. transformer of the required voltage, for the sum of £BO, and as same was immediately available, Mr. Fowler made enquiries regarding the apparatus when in Wellington, and secured a firm offer at £65. With the chairman’s consent, I proceeded to Wellington, examined and tested the transformer, and purchased same from the Wellington City Council, through Messrs. Tolley and Sons, and the equipment is now in the store and the work of erection in hand, so that much better service will be available in the centre portions of the borough much sooner than anticipated. Bulk Supply Charges. A very excellent report has been i brought down by the committee set

up at last conference on the above subject, and the members are to be congratulated on many aspects of the case that have obviously been brought into the discussion. The recommendations of the committee, if they are to have any weight, should have the backing of all boards comprising the association, and I advance the following comments with a view to showing how it will affect our board:— Under Recommendation A: This board will not benefit as there is no proposed alteration in rate of charges. Recommendation B: Is what obtains at present. Recommendation C: Would mean a small saving, perhaps an average of £5 per quarter. Recommendation D: Would have meant a saving of £BO on last quarter’s account. Recommendaiton F: Is a very excellent idea, and would mean in our case, taking the development of previous years as a criterion that we would not have reached full rates until five years had passed. The further recommendations do not affect this board, for the reason that the point of supply as far as we are concerned is geographically correct, being in the centre of the area, and we have no standby plant. Work in Hand. Two men are engaged cutting trees throughout the area. The main gang are working on the alterations in Waipu'kurau Borough, after which they will proceed to Kopua.