BAY POWER BOARD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 116, 11 June 1941, Page 6

BAY POWER BOARD

A YEAR OF PROGRESS SATISFACTORY POSITION; The chairman, Mr W. T„ Burrett, presided at the annual meeting of the Bay of Plenty Electric Power Board, held at the board's meeting room at O'potiki. Also present were Messrs F. Burt, Maxwell, Gault, Spenee, Mitchell and Sumner (members). The chairman read, his annual report which was received and adopted. Mr J. D. Dicker, engineer-man-ager, presented his annual report, covering the financial, technical and statistical operations of the board for the year ending .'ll/3/41. The report showed] that the total turnover in all departments Avas £73,799, an increase of £4260 over tlie previous year. The average revenue* per unit sold was .873 d. Expenditure per unit sold was . So(>d, of which amount .505 d represents interest and sinking fund and tho purchase of power from the Government. Tho average cost per unit to domestic consumers is below Id per unit, being ,97d per unit. Members congratulated the engi-neer-manager on the very satisfactory results and -his foresight i<n securing ample stocks to safeguard consumers for some time to come. Mr Barrett was re-elected chairman. The engineer submitted the estimates for the coming year and indicated how certain tariff reductions could be effected. The estimates were adopted and the matter of reduction was held over for further consideration by the board at next general meeting. Chairman's Annual Report. Since your last annual meeting the full impact of conditions arising out of the war lias been felt by the board, in common with cthor local bodies and business concerns. Shortage of materials and the control of available materials under the Emergency Regulations have called for caraful planning so that the board's, system could be maintained to an efficient standard, and provision made for the natural increase in the board's undertaking. It is satisfactory to note that the board's X>osition with regard to stocks, both of reticulation and issuing materials is quite sound, and the board can view the immediate future in this connection with confidence that it can fulfil its obligations to its consumers. The power shortage position calls for careful consideration by the board. The Electricity Controller, I am informed, is doing his utmost' to carry on the Dominion supply without imposing difficult restrictions, and with the co-operation of power boards and supply authorities is hopeful that r.o further reductionswill be required during the present winter, provided that fuel supplies to the generating plants are maintained, and no major troubles develop in the operation of these plants. Referring to the past year, tl*»" detailed reports of the engineermanager, covering the. year's operations, indicate that very satisfactory results have been obtained. The salient figures are an increase of 1.5 per cent in consumers, 9.fi per cent in units sold, 13.2 per cent in connected load, resulting in 6.9 oer cent increase in revenue from electricity sold, l't will also be a source of satisfaction to the board that there lias been a further reduction in the average cost per unit charged to consumers, from ,89d to .87d. Tim total annual cost per unit sold has decreased from .75d to .72d. The supply of power to the board by the Public Works Department during the year lias been very satisfactory, and interruptions on the board's own system has been limited in number and in the resulting inconvenience to consumers. These facts demonstrate! the general reliability of the main supply and of tlie board's distribution, system. .Although the increase in the number of consumers is comparatively low for the past year, the large turnover in tlie Trading Department —the highest to date —is a clear indication that the general use of •lectric supply is still increasing :'.s shown by thei higher totals of units sold and revenue obtained. Generally speaking the position of Uu» board is very sound, there bciiu>; a Avcll-balanced distribution of oad. and business over a period o{ years showing a progressive improvement. There is a difficult year ahead, but Avith careful administration and close adherence to the

board's policy it should be possible to maintain a sound position. Last year's operations show a substantial profit considering all circumstances, and although present conditions are uncertain, it is proposed to make concessions to consumers, which will be brought forward in the engineer-manager's re- j oort. During the year, nccessary stocks of material have been carefully built up, in the purchase of which the board lias been saved a considerable sum thanks to the fore-» sight of Mir Dicker. "We.' arc now *n tlie position of having materials to meet the requirements of consumers for some time to come. Notwithstanding the fact that tlie board's staff has been depleted of some of its most experienced employees, the efficiency of our service lias not been affected to any extent, and I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the staff in tin's connection, as no doubt a heavier strain lias been placed on those remaining. Naturally, during this year of quickly changing conditions' many complex and difficult problems have confronted our executive officers, and the result of the year's working serves to further strengthen the confidence which the board has always placed in these officers. Tn acknowledging the services of our consulting engineers, Messrs Vickerman and Lancaster, I feel that the high standard cf service which continues to lie rendered is influcmced by their long and 1 hope pleasant association with the board, and their undoubted knowledge and understanding of our requirements. In conclusion gentlemen, I wish to express appreciation to boar-.! members and the executive officers, for co-operation and assistance during the year, which lias rendered my term of office a very pleasant one.