ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES

Chronicle (Levin), 26 February 1947, Page 4

ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES

immediate prospects not rright

The power position must still be regarded as critical, said the e'bairmah. of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board when commenting on the engineer 's report ■to bcard members- at its- monthly me'eting yesterday. At times' the position was near to breakdowh and complete cilt-offss Without warning could be expected. Hfe would not, he continued, go bacfe -over old ground but would ®ontent himself with pointing out that the j nekt f ew months- would be very ' difflcUlt oh.es and ho great improvement could he1 eXpected. this winter. He did not. however agree with a publi'shed st'atement by Mr. A. Main, general managet of. the Wait'emafa Electric Power Board that the position would) fiot improve after this year. Meart-* while the board must again ask cohsnmers to* a'ssist a® far as possihle ih e'onserving. supplies. "It is simply terrible that we have to keep on making such ^requestsl Here we are with sa commodity to sell ahd yet we must tell- the people, ifor goodness' sake don't use it.' However," he added, "I suppose we .Will get used to> rationing." The ehg'ineer had pointed out that many new consumers had been connected and- extensions hia'd'e' to- exiSting instalmente. Though this was very satisfactory, it must be realised that more control over this was necessary," said Mr. Monk. "I do not want to deny anyone electricity but a limit is needed." ( Seeretary's Report / . In his report to the board, ,the managing-secretary, Mr. R. A. Frederikson advised that the board, in common with others, had beeh disconnected without notice oh February 4, when a fault developed at Ki-ngs Wharf plant. Mangahao wa's under repair at the time, ahd in spite of the fact that the weather in the southern parts of the Island was hot, the' remaining generators were- unable- tor carry the load. in order to alleviate the position, it would be essential that all loa'd possible be deferred until after the winter. Consequently permits for ranges and water heaters would be limited to new houses, with the provision that where, in the opinion of the board's inspectors. and existihg fuel appliance is beyond further use, an electrical replacement will' be allowed.

Revenue The total net revenue of £?6',8'57 shcv/cd an increase of £6,445 confpared with the same period last year. The increase added for the January reading. amoun'ted to £505, of which £4'8'5 was on accouht f domestic supply. ,n number of units purchased from the department had shoWn a sLight decrease since the end1 of January, and for the last weekly return to hand, the board had managed to keep within its quota. Engineei's Report Th6; engineer, Mr. J. F. Bryce, reported that during the month 43 applications by new consumers had been reeeived, comprising 43 lightning and heating installations, f-5 ranges, 16 Waterheaters and three motor pumps. a total of 104 applications had been reeeived for extensions, comprising 51 ligming, 76 waterheating, 76 heating points, 11 ranges, 17 waterheaters, six pump motors, and three industrial motors. During the above period, 27 new consumers and 48 extensions had been connected, comprising 27 lightjng and heating installations, 19 ranges, 13 waterheaters, -two motor milkers, 14 industrial motors and three pump motors. Storm - Damage Among other damage, upwards of 100 wires had been broken ahd many poles wfere blown out of lifie during the recent storm, said Mr. Hryce. He considered it would be some time vet .before the damage could be fully ascertained, but a natrol of the system was now - in orogress for this purpose. He 6stimated that it would take two weeks to repair damage at present recorded. The outdoor staff h&d worked under trying and dangerous conditions to effect repa'irs during, the' storm, several working contmuo'uslv for 21 hours. "I think this board should convey to the men- its appfeciation of the manner in which they carried out their duties." s'aid Mr. Vickerrnan. "They' did a- remarkable job under most trving conditions. The board. unaminously agreed that this be d'one." Request for roWCr A petition from 13 residents of Hokio and Beach Roads, headed by Mr. A; H. Streeter, requested the extensi'on of power to their loc"ali'ty at the ea'fliest convenience. It' was decided that the matfer be refefred to the staff in order that an estima'te of the cost beobtained and also a report on the revenue the board would derfve from such installations. When discussing the proposed Waikawa Beach Road extensibn, Mr . Monk said the matter had been delayed by the rbcent storm. It wes- decide'd that the matter be yeferted to- the staff 'who would be mstiuicted to go into the questibn of. guarantees for this enterprise. Mr. Monk said that it would ohly be constructed if ma-terial was available. and a feport on the tenure of the land would also be reauired. Bresent at the meeting were G. A. Monk (chairman) . T. g. Vincent R. o Hornblow, J. H P Li'o-gjns. R. R Lind, R Young F ^.ckermdn and c. S. KeedWell. Also Messrs. R. a. Frederiks'on rmanaging.-secretary) and J F B:?yce (engineer) . Leave of absefice was granted to Mr. W. E. Barber