POWER SUPPLY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20873, 3 August 1939, Page 7

POWER SUPPLY

THAMES VALLEY BOARD DEFECTIVE TIME SWITCHES (Special to Times) TE AROIIA, Wednesday Mr Joseph Price presided yesterday at the monthly meeting- or the Board. Messrs F. E. Flatt, 11. M. Corbett, J. Pohlen, J. McCormick, J. F. Mayn. T. A. Barrett. I*. R. Hawke, W. C. Kennedy, 11. L. Boughton, N. G. McLeod, chief engineer and R. Sprague, manager, also being present. Leave or absence was granted to Mr J. M. Allen, M.P. A notification was received rrom the Electric Power Boards and Supply Authorities’ Association of New Zealand stating that the annual conference would be held in Wellington on September 14 and 15. The chairman and manager were appointed to represent the board. Thames Coast Line Correspondence was received from Mr J. Thorn, M.P., also an enclosure rrom the Postmaster-General, the Hon. F. Jones, relative to reticulation for the Thames Coast, Thames to Tapu, in which it was stated, the objection of the Department was on account of the route proposed to be reticulated being in too close paralleling to the telegraph and telephone lines. The matter was still the subject of correspondence between the Post and Telegraph and Public Works Departments. Further correspondence would follow' in due course. Waihi Beach Supply A letter was received from the Tuuranga Electric Power Board relative to Waihi Beach supply, stating that at present the board had no loan moneys for extensions but was endeavouring to float a loan of £3u,ouu. Authority to proceed with the extension had been approved, but the work could not be undertaken until loan moneys were to band. Engineer’s Report The engineer reported that a start had been made on the reticulation of the Shaw estate, Waihi Beach, and it should be completed within a week. An Inspection had been made of places on the Thames Coast suitable for unloading poles. Cottages had been engaged for housing of the erecting staff, and all was in readiness to proceed with the work on this section. In the general area the usual spring rush had set in and all wiremen available were busily engaged. Report and Financial Statement The manager submitted the financial statement for the three months ended June HO, showing revenue £7 8,07 3 18s 8d and expenditure £i9,260 2s, leaving a debit balance or £5806 3s 4d. The sales of electricity for the period amounted to £13,256 8s lid again-t £37,905 Is 6d for the same period in 1938, an increase of £5351 7s sd. The report states that all services with the exception or factories have shown quite substantial increases. The increase in the revenue and units sold can be considered as most satisfactory, but the power purchases have increased in a much greater ratio than in previous years. On the expenditure side all accounts have shown decided increases, and it is expected that this ratio or increase will not be maintained for the balance of the year’s operations. The largest increase is under the heading of power purchases, amounting to £2967 3s id. It appears that the main leakage under this heading is the time switch control. Based on the size of the elements employed, the extra cost to the board due to cJeiective time switches is conservatively, £3B a quarter. Reports to hand show that the time switch servicing is most unsatisfactory. A report from a meter reader within the last few days shows that in six accounts, five were stopped and one was eight hours slow. IT this position is prevalent throughout the district, it means a loss to tiie board of some thousands of pounds per With rererenee to the property in Putaruru. the chairman. aeting under instructions rrom the board, has purchased this at a price or £S2S. Inspection was made or the Paeroa depot by the rhairman. Mr Flatt and the manager, and two sections have Been purchased adjacent to the existing troubleman’s residence at a price or firm. The total number <.r consumers connected to the hoard - mains is 11.767. The demand for water-heaters and electric ranges is being Meadily maintained. T 11c report was adopted. After a brier r. n 1110 umc switches referred m m Hie manager’.- ;c----x ires or a person rullv quail lied to make the necessary inspections, m order t.. cn- , sue Lae proper working of Uie system. 1