POWER DISTRIBUTION

Chronicle (Levin), 27 March 1946, Page 4

POWER DISTRIBUTION

HORO WHENUA BOARD MEETS The montbly mcsting of tRe Horowhenna Electric Power Boar,d yqs'liei,d at Levin yesterday. There were present: Messrs. G. A. Mopk (chairman), W.. E. Barber, T.' G. Vincent, R. G. Hornbfow, F. W. Vickennan, C. S. Keedwell arid General R. Young. Also Messrs. R, A. Frederikson (managing-secretary) , apd J. F. Bryce (engineer) . Leave qf absence was granted Messrs. J. H. P. Liggins and R. R. Lind'. In ajccordance with the administration of the Electrical Wiremen's Registration Act, the - amount of £2,046 9s lld is colleeted from the supply authorities in proportion to .tRe gross revenue received from the sale of electricity, which for the year tota.lled £9,036,959, the amount to be contributed by the HorpNorowhenua Board being £18 8s 10d. — Agreed to contribute the amount. The Electricity Controller, in a letter, said that due to the continu.ance of the drought, water conditiops at the hydro stations had seriously worsened, and there was a large possibility that restrictions would have to be introduped. The ievel at Taupo on Fehruary 26 was 3.55 feet lower than at this timp last year and 3.8 feet lower than in 1944. At Waikaremoana, on the same day the level was 5.75 feet lower than at the same period last year aild 12.45 feet lower than this in 1944. Mr. Monk mentioned the recent blackout, when there was a breakdown at Arapuni, and said that the incident that happened indicated the seriousness of the position in the North Island. The possibility of another blackout was aiways present, and this was a loss in revenue to the Board. It also made clear the necessity for the people to economise and assist. The matter was left to the next ; meeting. | A request to lease or rent the Board's section in Waerenga Road, Otaki, was made by the Otaki Boy Scouts' Association. The Board was unable to grant the application on the grounds-that the section might at any time be required for building on or for a line gang. A comparative statement of revenue submitted by the managingsecretary for 10 months of th,e financial year showed an increase of £.3,132 compared with the same • period last year, but in view of rationing and the appeal for economy, it was not likely that the present rate of increase could be mainitained. However the year's revenue j wgLS assured of being satisfactory. ! The engineer reported ^hat during ■ the last month 39 new consumers ! and 56 extenrions to existing instal- ! lations had been connected. They ; comprised 35 light and heating I installations, 30 electric ranges, 26 ! water heaters, four milking motors, j five separator motors, three pumping motors and 17 industrial motors.