ELECTRIC POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4705, 30 May 1924, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD MEETING OPERATIONS DURING THE YEAR. At the annual meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board, held at Te Aroha on Tuesday, the following statemenst were submitted CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. “The work generally has progressed ed without any serious interruptions, and the original scenic outlined by Messrs Gauvain and McLeod should be complete by November of this year. “A special feature of the year’s work is the splendid spirit of harmony and co-operation that has been evident, almost without exception, throughout the whole staff, which ha c contributed in no small measure to the efficiency of our service and the excellent results obtained. “Several important policv matters have been considered and decided, some of. which will have a far-reach-

ing effect. “In the beginning of this year the flat rate lighting charge was increased by 50 per cent, to consumers of electricity for lighting, to bring the charges more into conformity with those governed by motor. This naturally caused some protest, but in no instance has the charge been sufficiently burdensome to cause a discontinuance of the service. “From the beginning of the financial year a.reduction in the minimum charge for 2-h.p. motors and a decrease in the butter-fat limit have been in operation. This has enabled a number of owners of. small herds io take advantage of our service, with mutual benefit to themselves and the

board. S “The comparatively large number of farmers adjacent to constructed lines who have not linked up has led you to decide advantage of one of the last amendments of the Power Board’s Act and levy a rate on all within 10' chains of constructed lines. Consumers will be entitled, free of charge, to electricity equal in value to the amount of their hate. This system is more equitable than the older method of striking a rate ovnr tl’C whole area, thus '■ompelling a, ratepayer who wa,s unable, through no fault of his own, to take advantage of pur service, to contribute to a deficiency created by his more fortunate neighbours. “The inquiry of the possible price of. purchase of a town reticulation has brought you to the decision that the various town areas are vital integral units of the board’s system, and must not be disposed of. “The development of the* district oyer which your board operates has made it evident that financial provision must be made for reticulating ureas /not, included in the original scheme. With this end in view you ►ought the. authority of your ratepayers to bbrrow a further £150,000, to be raised' as necessary. The result of the poll showed an almost unanimous approval of the board’s proposal, and, Intake it, ap endorsement of the board's policy and action. "At your last meeting you decided to reticulate Waihi. This town, while in your board’s area, is not under you’’ jurisdiction, as it can operate uncer its oww. license. A satisfactory f naneial arrangement with the Waihi Borough Council will thus complete the reticulation of the whole of the towns in the board’s area. “An arrangement was made during ijie year whereby a portion of your area contiguous to Cambridge was transferred to that board, thus enabling the residents in that area to he served -with power more expeditiously and at lesq expense than was otherwise possible. “Your permanent works have rendered necessary the appointment of a lesident engineer. Mr McLeod, whom von appointed, has an intimate knowledge of the board’s area and requirements', and will, I feel sure, carry out his duties with the zeal and marked ability that hds hitherto won your unqualified approval. ’ “The result of the year’s trading < perations has again demonstrated the wisdom of branching out in this direction This is evidenced in the pre<iuent unsolicited approval of the service rendered and in the volume or business, which, in the year under review has amounted to £39,000. The surplus from this department will be held in reserve to make up the ceitain deficiency in the Power Fund in the current year.. You cannot hope to maintain these trading figures in the future, but their decrease will. I feel sure, be compensated for by an increase In the receipts for the sale of current. The receipts under this l eading amount to £43,000, which is somewhat in excess of the estimates framed at the beginning of the year. Had the full amount of interest and sinking funds on our total loan been charged against the power fund there would have been a deficiency of £16,000. In the current year a total of '■3.3300 for interest and sinking fund must be charged against the power fund. With the assistance of a probable small surplus from the trading department, and the amount in reserve from the same account, I have no hesitation in assuring you that the current year will be completed without the need for a general rate. “Duting the year there has been a marked increase in the number of water heaters supplied. These are filling an urgent need, and will materially assist the board, as they do not operate at the load peak. Recent cooking demonstrations in the area will help to build a load in a direction hitherto almost neglected. “I wish to record the very helpful and sympathetic attitude of the officers of the Public Works Department, which has materially assisted in the various difficulties of a year’s work. I also desire to tender my thanks to the staff from the manager down to the youngest member for another year of Joyal service. “Messrs Gauvain and McLeod, our -engineers, have maintained their high standard of control and supervision 'bf the board’s constructional work, and-have further justified your ac•ceptance of their service by assuring /you that their work is sp far advanc-

ed that they are now confident that it will be carried out considerably under the original estimate. “In conclusion, I thank you, gentlemen, for your whole-hearted and generous support of my actions in the past year. Your regular attendance am l undivided attention to the board’s business have justified the confidence of your ratepayers. The absence 0/ personal feeling at board meetings, together with your loyalty and assistance to the chair, have made my term of office one of pleasure and pride.” MANAGER’S REPORT. "One of the important matters that concerns the board is finance, and the ensuing year will be the first year of operations with the total loan monies borrowed and spent. “The amount of interest and sinking fund required to De paid annually on loan monies borrowed to date is £3? 334 13s 6d. The total amount of loans sanctioned by the ratepayers to date is £700,000, of which £150,000' has not yet been arranged for, and the amount of £38,334 13s 6d is interest and sinking fund for the £550,000 loans now being expended. The sales oil electricity fro the year amounted.to £42,391 17s Bd. My estimate for the year, given in May last, was £40,000, and the revenue has exceeded this by £2391 17s Bd. “It is proposed to raise a further £lOOO by the rate to be collected from non-consumers, and the total revenue for the coming year will then be estimated at £56,000. In the event of a proposition now being considered by large suppliers eventuating, the estimates of revenue for the year should be £60,000. It will not be necessary to collect any rate other than the nonconsumers’ for this year.

“The area has now been practically completed as far as allocating the necessary troublemen is concerned, with tne exception of a further man for the Turua district upon completion of the Waitakaruru district, and an adjustment of the Morrinsvillc treubleman if the Patetonga district is reticulated. “The canvasser is now recanvassing the Tahuna and Patetonga districts, and his reports are very encouraging and point ot this district being reticulated. Urospects for a very large industrial load in the Plains districts are very bright. Numerous inquiries for power for flaxmills and quarries have been received, mostly 50-h.p. loads.

“Connections to the mains were considerably hampered during the past year owing to the very bad deliveries of but orders have already been placed for the transformers necessary to arrive before the commencement of next milking sason. There are ample stocks in hand tor present requirements. “The increase in advances to consumers i,s now on the decrease, owing to the installations and sales not being so large. I expect steady reductions in this amount during the current year. “Mr McLeod, of the board’s consulting engineers, has now taken up his dulies as resident engineer. This appointment will now give me more time for general administration, which hitherto my duties would not permit.” ENGINEERS’ REPORT. “The reticulation of the board’s area in accordance with the proposals submitted in our. original report is approaching completion. The majority of extra high-tension lines have been erected and are in operation, and the chief work remaining to be done is the completion of the cheaper grade lines. “The scheme has been laid out to conform fairly closely with the original proposals, but eases have occurred where it has been found necessary to modify portions of the scheme, due to the fact that the demand for power has in some portions of the area varied considerably from the

original applications. The policy of reticulating those portions of the area which will ensure a payable revenue at an early date has been strictly adhered to, and, since the completion of the main feeder lines, it has been the practice to closely examine individual sections as to the capital expenditure, total working costs, and anticipated revenue before arriving at any decision regarding the reticulation of such sections. “Sufficient information regarding construction costs is now Available <.o indicate that the capital cost of the scheme will amount to a few per cent, less than the estimate, “During the past , twelve montlis there lias, been a substantial increase iii the number of consumers, and the results may be considered satisfactory. It is of the utmost importance, however, that all ratepayers should realise the success of the undertaking depends on the measure of support which they arc prepared to give the scheme. The cost of country reticulation per,, consumer lg necessarily high, and satisfactory?.financial results can only be obtained by every household in;.a reticulated area taking it supply. With a view to encouraging the farmer with the. small herd to install an electric motor for milking machine operation the minimum charge for power for a 2-h.p. motor has.bcen reduced from £2l to £l5 per annum.

“The Public Works Department’s .sub-station .at-Waihou. was put into operation during the year, and a supply is now being received from this point; at a pressure of 11,000 volts. In addition, the northern portion of the

area receives a supply from Waikilio, and the southern portion from Hora-

bora. .All these sub-stations are Interconnected through the board’s lines, .and- the necessary arrangements have been made for the transference of load from vftrious points in case pf necessity. ’ In connection with the switching arrangements of the board’s lines, which in a large area must of necessity involve complications, we have prepared complete switching diagrams indicating the various sectionalising and transformer station switchgear. These diagrams have been mounted and supplied to the board’s depots and the Public Works Department’s sub-stations, and are under the control of responsible officials. Any alterations in the switching arrangements in any area are immediately recorded, and full information is therefore available at headquarters. : The installation of the board’s high-tension telephone lines, which nbw extend over a great portion of the area, has- proved of great use in connection with the control of these arrangements, and also in keeping the various depots in direct communication with the head office. "Transmission Lines. —The following figures indicate the mileage of lines constructed and in operation: 11,000-volt, 379 miles ; 3300-volt, 131 miles ; low tension, 331 miles ; total. 741 miles. In addition 95 miles of high-tension’ telephone Circuit togelher with the necessary telephone •appartus and protective gear, has been erected and is in operation. “Transformer Stations.—-The following transformers have been installed and are in operation : 111 11,000/415-volt, capacity 2422k.v.a. ; 17 11 000/3300-volt, capacity 1025k.v.a. ; 104 : 3300/415-volt, capacity 773k.v.a. : total number, 232, with a capacity of 4220k.v.a. The 11,00'0/3300volt transformers, in addition to supplying the 3300/415-volt transformers operating in the 3300rvolt areas, also 'simply .the towns of Thames and Te

Aroha, which, receive their supply iu , bulk al a pressure of .3300-volts. "Consumers.—The number of con-1 sumers now receiving a supply front ! the board is 2653, made up of 1136 1 meter rale consumers and 1517 fiat rate consumers. This shows a satis- j factory increase of 60.7'per cent, on (lie number receiving a supply on March 31, 1923. Included in the meter rate consumers arc the boroughs of Thames and Te Aroha, which are counted as one each. The combined consumers in these two , towns amount to. 1424, so that the actual number of consumers receiving power from the board is 1075. “A ■ segregation of the ' consumers gives the following information: Number of milking machine motors, 761; motors for general farm put" poses, 79 ; industrial motors, 229; total number of motors connected and running (excluding those in Thames and Te Aroha boroughs), 1069. Included in the above consumers are 11 daily factories, 4 quarries, 2 flaxmills, 2 Public Works Department workshops, 2 sawmills, and 1 goldmining company. “Load.—The power factor shows a decrease as compared with last year’s results, and is due to the increasing load of small induction motors in the area. The yearly load factor has risen from 35.4 per cent, to 41.1 per cent. ■ rhe present connected load in the area totals 10,465-h.p.. made up of 1709 h.p. for lighting, 3212 for heating and cooking, and 554'4 lor power. “The diversity factor works out at almost exactly 4, and shows a reduction over last year’s figure, due to the extra number of milking machine motors connected. “General.—ln addition fa the increase in the number of consumers of 60.7 per cent., it is satisfactory to note that revenue derived from the sale of current during the past year shows ail increase of 89 per cent., as compared with the revenue for the previous yeah. “The progress now being made in the construction work indicates that the scheme as originally planned should be completed before the end of the year.