POWER DISTRIBUTION

Chronicle (Levin), 29 May 1946, Page 4

POWER DISTRIBUTION

Horowhenua Board Meets The monthly meeting of the Horowhenua Ejectric Power Board was held at Levin yesterday. Those present were Messrs. G. A. Monk (chairman) , W. E. Barber, T. Cj. Vincent, R. O. Hornblow, J. H. P. Liggins, R. R. Lind, F, W, Vickerman, C. S. Keedwell and General R. Young. Also Messrs. R. A. Frederikson (managing-secretary) and J. F. Bryce (engineer) . Reduced Street Lighting * A letter was received from the Levin Borough Council sqggesting that in order to effect a saving in electric power, the street lights in , the Levin borough be turned off at ^ 12.3Q a.m. instead of 2 a.m. . The committee recommended that the managing-secretary and engineer report on this matter, particularly in regard to the cost of maintenance. This was adopted. Broadeasting Hours Replies to the board's representations to the broadeasting authorities, through the Electric Power Boards" and Supply Authorities' Association were received. The Minister of Broadcastirjg iHon. F. Jones) informed the association that the reduction in broadeasting hours, which begaii on April 29, constituted a reduction ( of 25 per cent. between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. when the peak load occurred, which was considered satisfactory enough to cope with the situation this winter. The Minister of Works (Hpp . R. Semple), in his reply, said that the matter had been put to the controller, whose comment had been that the proposed 50 per cent. reduction would make little difference, as radio consumption was relatively small. The request would receive further consideration. Mr. Monk suggested that the board should make further representations.

The letters were received, although the feeling of the board was that the position was still far from satisfactory, and that protests should be continued. The chairman added that he had been informed by a broadeasting expert that the peak radio load was reached between the hours of 8 and, 10 p.m.

Save Power Campaign The Controller of the Economic Information service wrote to the board, drawing attention to the publicity campaign now under way on behalf of the State Hydro Electric Department as a means of reducing power consumption. The managing-secretary informed the board that a number of posters had been received and were being distributed, and that circulars outlining methods of saving power had been printed fqr distribution to householders. Agency SuggestedL The Paraparaumu Beach Frogiessive Association requested that an agency be established at the beach to enable payments to be made there. It was decided to inform the association that the board was unable to do so in view of present staff position and other conditions. Revenue Reviewed In the course of his report, the managing-secretary stated that the net revenue for the month was £4910, an increase of £344 compared with last year. Unit consumption had shown an increase of six per cent., which was slightly in excess of the unit allocation. As a result of the comparatively mild weather, it had been possible to keep within the limits of the unit allocation, said Mr, Frederikson, but in the event of a.cold snap it would be necessary tq make further cuts unless cohsuniptibn' was kept to a minimum. If half the electric heaters in the board's. area were put out of use. appeals for economy would be unnecessary. The Year's Estimates The report of the special committee, which met to consider estimates for the coming year, was ■ received. It was stated in the. report that the estimates provided for a total revenue of £90,584 and an expenditure of £88,410, giving an estimated surplus. of £2,174. On the recommendation of the committee, the estimates were approved1