"LOSING BUSINESS."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 232, 1 October 1928, Page 3

"LOSING BUSINESS."

WAITEMATA POWER BOARD.

EFFECT OF STOPPAGES. REPRESENTATIONS TO BE MADE TO P.W.D. RELUCTANCE TO USE PENROSE PLANT. The reluctance of the Public Works Department to switch over to the Penrose auxiliary power supply immediately trouble occurs at Horahora is seriously affecting the livelihood of some consumers and jeopardising the Waitemata Electric Power Board's business. The number of stoppages occasioned recently was viewed with alarm by the board at its meeting this morning, and it was decided that the chairman (Mr. J. W. Hayden) and the engineer (Mr. F. J. H. Wilson) should interview the Public Works engineer at Hamilton and urge him to make efforts to maintain a continuity of supply. The deputation will l»e supported bv a letter complaining of the interruptions, and suggesting that the engines at the 6ub-etation should be kept running during peak load periods in order that any emergency might immediately be met. Unnecessary Delays. 'I am rather concerned about the unnecessary stoppages that have occurred, due to tlie people at Penrose not switching over when trouble arises at Horahora." commented Mr Hayden. "The position is serious, and last week we had eight or nine stoppages. Anr trouble at Horahora should be remedied at Penrose in five or ten minutes, especially in other than peak periods. I understand, however, that Penrose is not allowed to switch over with the Diesel plant without instructions from headquarters, and that has caused a lot of delay. We have had many complaints and it is not doing the board's business any good to have to shut down every other afternoon. It means we are losing business. There is plenty of power at Penrose, but for some reason or other they don't like to change over." Mr. Hayden added that he had written the P.W.D. engineer at Hamilton pointing out that the board was concerned with the situation in view of the fact that an alternative supply was easily made available from Penrose and the King's wharf stations. Complaints about inconvenience had been received, particularly from poultry farmers, picture shows and those using the ferries. Running Close to Wind. "The P.W.D. seem reluctant to taki power so long as Horahora can take the load," said Mr. F. J. H. Wilson, the engineer, "but Horahora is not yet acting at ft:.l capacity. They are attempting to carry the whole of* the load from Horahora, and they are still short of plant. It appears to me they are running too el to the wii: 1." Last Friday one hour and a-half had elapsed before the alternative supply was taken up, whereas one would imagine that Penrose would be kept running on short load to meet emergencies. Mr. S. E. Kennings also spoke of the seriousness of the position, and said that more stoppages had occurred at Devonport under hydro-electricity than under the old system. "At the outside there should be tio interruption of more than about two minutes' duration," said Mr. A. E. [ Greenslade. "It is a very serious business," agreed Mr. E. (i. Skeatrs. who pointed out that people who were building houses were being advised to instal gas in preference to electricity, o\ying to the frequent interruptions.