HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16834, 28 June 1926, Page 2

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

TE AWAMUTU BOARD. •MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Te Awamutu Electric Power Board was held on Friday, when the chairman, (Mr .1. T. Johnson) presided and there were also present, Messrs G. Spinley, A. L. Storey, S. C. Macky, F. S. Parlane, and ,1. G. Sutherland. The. sec-retary-manager, Mr D. McArthur, was also in attendance. The, question of consideration of the heavy transport and any necessary reconstruction of it. was referred to the executive with power to act. it was decided lo hold Ihe next meeting of the Board on Friday, July 23. Safety Devices. The ccerctary, Waikato sub-provin-cial dislrict of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, replied to the board's letter of March 23, and added: "I am directed to enclose copy of letters received respectively from the Thames Valley and Central Power Boards which indicate that these boards are doing their utmost by comprehensive measures to protect human and animal life against, all danger of falling power lines. My executive feels from your meagre reference , that your board is not doing enough, and suggests that it pursue a similar course to the other two, as there is real danger from these falling power lines and no effort or expense should be spared to avert any further catastrophe."

The secretary-manager had replied as follows: "The matter of safely devices on the board's lines has been receiving serious consideration from this board. The apparatus in use by the Central Power Board has been investigated and Hie board is awaiting a reply to enquiries put through a Wcliingtton firm regarding another invention for the purpose of added safety to lines. My board is going ahead with the installation of safety devices as soon as it is satisfied as lo the most effective method procurable and in fact only al its last meeting my board decided to take a loan poll for the epurpose of supplying safety devices, static condensers and extension to lines. In the mcanlime, my board has drawn up simple instructions lo farmers regarding earthing of fences, such instruction taking the form of a small poster, and these are now in Ihe bands of the printers. My board is extremely anxious to have Ibis matter dealt, with at the earliest possible date, but it is also desirous to get the best possible device available, and if the Wellington enquiries do not prove satisfactory, then it is almost certain that the board will install the system adopted by the Central Power Board." General. The New Zealand Electrical Federation's secretary forwarded copies of an analysis of electrical installations made in various districts of the Dominion compiled from figures supplied by the boards, lie asked that the figures for Tc Awamutu be checked, so as to ensure a correct record. The assistant under-secretary P.W.D advised that the Minister had approved of the board's honorarium to the chairman of £2OO for the current year. The district engineer, P.W.D., Hamilton, advised that work is now in progress at Te Awamutu in connection with the extension of the 50 K.v. structure lo provide for switching on the Te Awamutu —Hangatiki 50 K.V. line. To complete this, it will be neccssarv to shut down in order to connect up with the existing gear. The shut down will be on Sunday, 27th inst. The To Awamutu Borough Council granted die board's application to erect lamps in front of some of the business premises. The secretary, New Zealand Farmers' Union (Waikato provincial branch), wrote that the Cambridge branch is endeavouring to obtain a reduction in the price of electricity in bulk to Ihe various power boards operating in the Waikato. If is thought that the profit made by Hora Bora last year is excessive, and therefore defeating the object of the use of electricity, which should be the cheapest form of power available. They quoted figures in support of their contention and added that Auckland was charged £7 for bulk supply, while Waikato boards are charged £lO. They suggested approaching the PAY. D. from all quarters to attain this reduction, which could then be passed on lo the board's consumers—lt was decided thai Ihe chairman, Mr J. T. Johnson, and the secretary, Mr D. McArthur, should be the board's delegates to the forthcoming annual conference of power boards which will be held in Wellington early next month. An application was received from Mr Andrew Kay that the board make a concession in Ihe erection of a service line to Ids milking shed and houses— It was poi'ded out that this was asking the board lo do what it had never done lo any other consumer, it was decided that, it could make no concession Mr Kay could only be treated in cxactlv the same way as any oilier consumer. The fact that he owned a large properly on which he had been paying power board rales had nothing to do Wilh ihe case'. The, revenue for April was shown to be, as fallows .—Lighting, £159 fis Dei; beating. C 279 9s id; power. £G;iJ Is 'id: penalties £i7 18s Hid; meters, £3! Os 3d; si reels, £36; making a total Of £lslO -is 2(1 .'is compared willi £IO2O for ihe same, period oi last year Accounts as follows were passed for payment. Power fund, £832 lis I Oil; loan account, £l3i; consumers' finance. £3'.l 2s; making a lotai of £1307 13s lOd. Inspector's Report. During the period since last meeting I have inspected and tested the following installations and extensions:— Lighting plants 1 i, cow y.lants 1. electric -loves 2; total for month. I i. I his makes a total to dale as follows: Lighting plaids 1120, cowplants 3<-i, other power plants 51, water pump motors 00, electric, stoves 51: grand total to date, 1050. Total extensions lo dale. 378. Total grillers to dale, IGI. Total large radiators connected, 3 Tolal boilers installed to dale, 209. .Made out specifications for four houses, two cow plants, two electric stoves, three water-healers. Tested and installed 23 meters. The report was adopted. Foreman's Report. The Kio Kio extension line has been pegged out, and a 10-eliain-10-l.ho-ineh plan made. As soon as the poles are laid out, the erection of the line will bo commenced. Twenty-eight poles have been carted, Oiled and erected during the month. Thirty-eight, sets Of fuse-boxes and plugs have been fitted lo the lines throughout, the district. Twenty-two sets of high-tension transformer fuses and 12 commercial service, low-tension fuses have been renewed, oilier necessary work in Ihe district has been done. Three street lamps have been replaced in ihe borough, two at Pirongia, and four at Olniupo. I call your attention to the wilful damage to some of these lamps. A specimen of such damaged lamns has (Continued al foot oi next column.), i

been returned lo you. fifteen service connections were erected during Ihe month, four services have been reconnected and two disconnected. The transport has vuw approximately 2023 miles during the month. Work is lie ing retarded owing to not being able to use the Algion lorry at this lime id' the year. Jf heavy materials were needed in an emergency such as a breakdown the restriction of Ihe use of the lorry would seriously hold up the resloration of power. The louls and plants are in Jcood condition.