HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18168, 5 November 1930, Page 3

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD. THE MONTHLY MEETING. Mr F. M. Strange presided at the November meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board at Te ■ Aroha. Messrs F. E. Flatt, J. Pohlen, J: Price, J. McCormick, H. E, Torr, J. W. Anderson, J. M. Allen, H. M. Corbett, W. R. Lowry and G. A. Arthur were also present. •• A letter was read from the Hauraki Plains County Council stating that the matter - of. representation on the board had been under consideration. It would appear that the : three larger counties were entitled to greater representation, and the council asked for a list of constituent dist>—also their representation on the board under the Electric Power Hoards Act, 1925. A petition to the Minister of Public Works for an Order-in-Council should come primarily from the board, and the council asked for the fullest consideration of the matter. Mr. Torr was of the opinion that the Hauraki County was justified in asking for more representation. It was decided that no alteration be made at present.

It was pointed out by Mr Corbett that if Hauraki Plains was entitled to two representatives Matamata „would be justified in asking for three, and the counties would then have greater representation than the. boroughs; Light for Walhl Beach. The Tauranga -Electric Power Board wrote in regard to. the reticulation of Waihi Beach, asking if the board would meet a Tauranga committee with a view to arriving at an amicable settlement. Mr Flatt was of the opinion that the hoard should meet the Waihi Borough Council -to place the whole position before it, arid he thought the ■necessary guarantee would be forthcoming. Other members considered the board was ready to reticulate the beach so soon as the installation could be shown as payable.-—lt was decided that the chairman, engineer and representative of the district should meet the Waihi Council on 'the subject. Ample Money. „ A firm of financial brokers wrote that in the. matter of. loans it would appear that the London market was in a favourable condition just now, especially for large flotations.

A letter was read from the Morrinsville . Farmers’ Union expressing appreciation at the board's arrangement for the payment of; .customers’ accounts.

The Norfolk. Co-operative .Dairy Company, Ltd., stated' that the electric heaters, were not heating • the water, as well as -formerly, consequently milking machines could not be properly cleansed, and milk was liable to be affected in quality.—The engineer stated that an improvement had been effected and the position would be met.

The New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Putaruru branch, wrote stating that ■ its criticism was not of a vindictive nature, but solely with the aim of urging ecenomy in order to have the power charges reduced in future. — Received. The. manager’s and engineer’s reports were adopted. Finances. A general discussion took place on the financial statement. It was shown that the administrative expenses would not be Increased by additional charges in the second term; while the revenue from users of power, consequent on the dairying season, would be greater. The fact was reiterated that farmers were receiving low rates for produce, and it behoved the board to meet the position with any reduced charges it might be enabled to make. Financial Statement. The manager presented the following financial statement for , the halfyear ended September 30Income.—Meter consumers; Lighting, £16,132 10s 4d; domestic power, £7364 3s lOd; industrial power, £5626 2s 3d; milking and farm motors, £IB,OOI 11s 6d; waterheaters, £3510 3s 5d.. Flat-rate consumers: Lighting, £562 7s 7d; heating and power, £752 5s 3d; farm motors, £l7Ol 4s 6d; water-heaters, £413 10s 2d; excess butterfat, £fsoo; street lighting, £604 10s Bd. Bulk consumers: Te Aroha Borough, £IO9O 7s lOd; Thames Borough, £1836 18s 9d; dairy factories (threeparty), £1584 7s 2d; trading department £500; sundries, £539 9s 4d; balance, £6330. Total, £68,049 12s 7d.

Expenditure. Power purchases, £18,099 18s lOd; interest and sinking fund, £27,811 15s; administration, £6382.’.3s Id; maintenance, £4165 Os 9d; maintenance replacements, £1641 18s 3d; motor transport, £1790 Is 2d; depreciation, £1950; discounts allowed, £6140 Is sd; tree-planting, £6B 145.1 d. Total, £68,049 12s 7d. The comparisons for the six months for 1930 and 1929 were as follows (shillings and pence omitted, 1929 figures in parentheses) :—Lighting, £16,694; domestic pow ; er, £8116; industrial power, £5626; milking and farm motors, £19,702; Lighting, heating and power—Meters (£15,369), flat rate (£39,107); water-heaters, £3923 (£3080); street lighting, £604 (£586); towns (maximum demand), £2927 (£2886); factories and industrial, £1584 (£2015) ; trading, £SOO (£500); sundries, * £539 (£586.); power purchases, £18,099 (£20,356); interest and sinking .fund, £27,811 (£27,811); administration, £6382 (£5950); maintenance, etc., £5806 (£5633); tree-planting and motor upkeep, £IBSB (£1770) ; depreciation, £1950 (£2500); discounts, £6140 (£4245).

Power purchases again showed a reduction over the June quarter of £147 15s 7d, notwithstanding the fact that a great number of consumers were connected to the mains (especially for September), and" a small reduction has already been experienced for the present quarter. This has been brought about by some of the lighting load going off . the peak, due to the lengthening of daylight. The reduction in power purchases, for the half-year, compared with September of last year, amounted to £2256 12s lOd, in spite of the fact that the connected load increased by 2500 kw during the past twelve months. The effect of the meter rates is that a big reduction in the board's revenue is shown for the half-year just ended. If the flat-rate system of charge had still been in operation consumers would have paid £10,750 more for their electricity for the half-year than they actually have done. la next cf lumn.i

Consumers. The number of consumers connected to the board’s main is 7648, which includes the Thames and Te Aroha Boroughs, Thames consumers totalling 1101 and Te Aroha Borough 684. Twenty-eight lighting and heating consumers were connected during the month; also 17 water-heatels, 5 electric ranges, and 51 motors on farms, of which 12 are milking motors. There are "connected and operating 2104 water-heaters, 418 electric ranges, and 2551 motors on farms, of which 1985 are milking motors. The number of consumers who had additions to their existing installations totalled 71. Inquiries being received daily with regard to electric ranges, and it- is anticipated that a bis increase to the load

will be added through this source before March 31 next.

The cost of the tree-planting for the years 1929 and 1930 was: 1929, £SB 15s 6d; 1930, £74 12s sd.

New Zealanders may wonder why the railways do not pay in New South Wales. On one of tire country lines recently-—one of many of the Slate's vote-catching, non-paying railways, hy the way—the only passenger on two journeys was the wife of a railway employee. And she was what is popularly termed a “deadhead." She was travelling on a free pass. That particular line cost £404,OUO to build. The annual outlay on it is £20,000, including an interest bill of £22,000.

After a strenuous set of tennis, or a long motor drive along dusty roads you will find no better refreshment than Clark's drinks, which are served at all the leading fruit and confectionery shops. Or you can order a selection from the factory, llinemoa Street. Phone 2094,