POWER EXTENSIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20246, 15 July 1937, Page 13

POWER EXTENSIONS.

11,000 VOLT CONSTRUCTION SERVICES MADE EFFICIENT. WORK IN HAMILTON DISTRICTS. The electric power services supplying the districts north of Hamilton, especially at Te Rapa have for some time been inadequate, due to the continual growth of the load and complaints regarding the service have often been received by the Central Waikato Power Board. The powe'r board has overcome the difficulty by converting the low tension lines from the Bankwood transformer into an 11,000 volt circuit, and two new transformers have been installed, one at the corner of Vardon Road and Sandwich Road and the other at the far end of Sandwich Road. These alterations should provide an adequate service on these roads for a considerable time. The board’s reticulation on Sandwloh Road and Vardon ißoad has for ye’ars been supplied by low tension power from the transformer at Bankwood on the west side of the river opposite the Golf Lihks and the transformer at the corner of Forest Lake Road and Great South Road. Ranglriri Extension. The erection gang is proceeding, with the Ranglriri West 11,000 volt extension. Of the 29 high tension poles and 6 low tension poles required 24 high tension poles have been erected. In one part this line crosses a swamp, and although poles could have been erected in fine weather at the present time' it would be difficult, and probably Impossible, to do so, and it was, therefore, necessary to alter the original layout using 33ft poles and provide a 52ft pole at one side of the swamp and a 40ft pole on a rise' at the other side. This made one span of approximately 16 chains, but eliminated the necessity of two poles In the swamp. While the construction adopted was slightly more expensive than the original layout, It was the only way to overcome the swamp difficulty at this time of year. The report on these works was tabled at the monthly meeting, of the' ■Central Waikato Power Board yesterday. The number using electricitiy in the Hamilton district is still increasing steadily and at the present time there : are 5794 consumers using power from the Central Waikato Power Board, according to a report of the Engineermanager. Mr J. R. Ellis. Wage Increases. On the recommendation of the finance committee, the board approved cf an Increase in salaries and wages for the majority of the staff. It was state'd by the secretary that several would have to be adjusted when new awards were enforced. The Increases which Involve an extra expenditure of £373 a year, were an entirely voluntary action of the board. The new salaries will be operative from next week. Authorisation for the erection of a new coal bunker on the board's office site' was given. Mr Thomas Hinton presided and also present were Messrs J. J. Ryburn, N. Reid, G. Smith. S. S. Saulbrey, R. G. Young, J. A. Sampson, W. C. E. George, W. Henry, the secretary Mr H. J. Beeche', and the engineer-manager, Mr J. R. Ellis.