CENTRAL POWER BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18640, 19 May 1932, Page 9

CENTRAL POWER BOARD.

ENGINEER'S REPORT. ACTIVITIES DURING APRIL. The following report for April was submitted to the Central Electric power Hoard yesterday by its engineer, Mr .J. R. Ellis. The laying out of the lines In the Maramarua area has been completed, and an estimate made as follows: — Estimated cost for the lines most likely to be gone on with in the meantime equals £0027, and revenue required to return JO 2-3 per cent, would be £ l OOn. The estimated revenue at the board’s present rates of those already signed up is £4si, and from those whom these lines could suppiy without further extension, £137. Many of these have promised to sign up, and are being canvassed at Hie present time, so that if all sign up as ordinary consumers Hie revenue would be £913 10s. No doubt some who are keen to have electricity in the district will add to what they have already signed for. In this three miles there are ten milking sheds, so this section, which is in the board's original area, should be self-support-ing when these consumers take supply. Commercial Power. An applicant has written asking what would be the conditions and costs

. for supplying a flax mill at Orini. A . capital expenditure of about £450 j would be necessary to givo supply. An offer lias been submitted.* A request has been made for costs |in connection with the supply of I power l'or the treatment of fireclay at Glen Massey. About 20 h.p. would be required, and the board’s capital expenditure would be about £IOO. An offer has been submitted which the applicant staled would be satisfactory to him, and power would be required in three or four months. Rato for Water Heaters. Thero is some demand for water heaters for a 24 hours per day service. These would, of course, come on the board's peak load and would have to be taken into consideration in fixing a rate. It is therefore recommended that a rate he fixed of £1 6s per 100 watts per annum less the board’s usual 5 per cent, discount. This would return £l2 6s Sd per-an-num per K.W. or K.V.A. and would show some profit. Water healers being a unity power factor toad, one K.W. will equal one K.V.A. About 72 poles from 551 b railway rails are being constructed and should make very good 33ft, poles at from 10s to 15s per pole cheaper than Ironbark poles of same length. Tests have been carried out which prove that the poles will have ample strength.