GREY POWER BOARD ELECTRICITY SALES TOP £110,000 MARK

Grey River Argus, 20 November 1948, Page 7

GREY POWER BOARD ELECTRICITY SALES TOP £110,000 MARK

The gross sales of electric power bv the Grey Electric Fower Board for the year ended March 31, 1948, topped the £llO,OOO mark. The number of consumers and the peak load botn increased above the previous highest, while capital charges due largely to the repayment of loans, and the Board’s policy of doing as much capital work as possible out of revenue, are gradually decreasing. These facts' were disclosed by the chairman, Mr L. N. Downes, in his annual report, at a meeting of the Board last evening. The chairman reported: Another factor, that of increased costs, is common to all businesses during the war and post-war years, but is none the less important, particularly as regards the cost of further capital works and the relation between maintenance and administrative charges on the one side, and available revenue on the other. The most notable single increase has been that of the State Hydro-Electric Department charge for, power, which it is hoped can be satisfactorily absorbed by a slight readjustment in the unit price of units sold in the large coal mines. GOLD DREDGES CEASE WORK

During the year under review, three more gold dredges, Blackball Creek, Slab Hut and Marsden, ceased operations, and at the time of writing it is not known what effect the recent exchange rate alteration will have on the remainder. BOARD’S DIFFICULTIES Difficulties regarding the supply of materials show no sign of abating. After a wait of about two years, the fine to Garvey’s Creek above Reefton has been commenced, and th? Board is slowly accumulating the gear to commence the promised Inchbonme extension. No indication at this stage can be given as to when this harm* day will arrive, but arrive it will, and then the Puriakaiki-Porarari and the Atarau jobs will be tackled, not forgetting the ultimate extension up to the Inangahua-Cronadun area. In this connection, it was pleasant to hear at the recent Electric Power Boards and Supply Authorities’ conference that the Engineers’ Committee recommended a higher standard cost on which the Rural Electrical Reticulation Council could base its subsidy to Boards with rural reticulation problems. , The chairman expressed thanks to the Board for electing him its chairman, and thus giving him the opportunity of familiarising himself with the Board’s work in a way open to rio one but a chairman. In this connection, too', he said that he would like to state that the information picked up at the annual conference is invaluable, and fully justifies the time and trouble put into it. He thanked the executive officers and the staff for their help during the past year. The press were also, thanked for assisting the Board with full and complete reports of meetings. MESSAGE FROM MR KENT In reply to a previous letter from the Board regarding the supply of porcelain hoods for street light fittings, Mr J. B. Kent, M.P. for Wetland, in a letter smd that there had been an unfortunate hold-up in production, but that this was now being gradually overcome, and a quantity would be made available to the Grey Power Board at the earliest opporThe engineer, Mr S. Trotter, said that the Board had a quarter of what tliey wanted, but he thought that the remainder would be forthcoming within the next two months. In thanking the chairman for his report, Mr P. Blanchfield said that although Mr Downes had been the youngest member to hold that position, he was also one of the most capable. He spoke highly of the veiy harmonious relations existing between the chairman and members of the Board and the staff. It was resolved that a sum of £5 5s be sent to the Grey Hospital for the Christmas cheer fund. Mr L. N. Downes presided, also present being Messrs W. Bring, P. Blanchfield, A. L. McKay, J. Ryan, W. Clayton, A. Topp, W. McGilchnst, J. E Stokes, S. Trotter (engineer), and W S. McClymont (secretary). ENGINEER’S REPORT The engineer reported that the high tension power line to Garvey’s' Creek mine had been completed to the road into the mine, while one mile was unfinished. General maintenance of fines has been carried out, and short extensions required for new consumers erected at Taylorville, Kaimata and Red Jacks. A small number of street light fittings have arrived, and it is hoped to convert one circuit m Reefton to the series system next week; the remainder will require to wait until the balance of our order arrives. Owing to the short interval between meetings there is little else of importance to report. Since last meeting, 12 new applications have been received and permits issued Sixteen new consumers have been connected. Applications now total 6311 and consumers 6238. Forty permits have been issued for alterations _ to existing installations; 93 extensions have been completed; 12 ranges have been installed for the month; 10 water-heaters have been installed lor the rn<^c RETARY ’S REPORT The secretary reported that the Power Fund bank account showed a debit, balance of f974313s meter-readings recorded £7825 11s Id revenue from the B and K groups, which covered part of the country area and Reefton respectively, plu* large power accounts. A sum of is Sd was outstanding Ulster tbe Board’s financial assistance scheme for the purchase of ranges. The connected loading rate in kiiowatts was as follows, with previous loading rate total in parentheses Li-ht 22.14 <2666.331): heat 111 <9818.66): water - heateis 12 (1229.96): power h-p. 11 (Ib,V3OL cooking 84.8 (9727.50). ____