ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4719, 2 July 1924, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

THAMES VALLEY MEETING. r -■. , ■■■■— The monthly meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board was held in Te Arolia yesterday, the following members being present: Messrs F. H. Claxton (chairman), F. E. Flatt, W. E. G. Willy, G. Howie, J. Pohlen, J. W. McCormick, J. Price, J. B. Thomas, F. M. Strange, and C. A. Arthur. The manager-secretary (Mr R. Sprague) and ' .the engineer, s (Messrs Gauvain and McLeod) were also present. RATING OF MOTORS. 1 he electrical branch of the Public Works Department notified that as the question of 40 or 50 degrees rating of motors had been of considerable interest, attention was drawn to the fact that the British standard specification for motors No. 168, 1923, specifies temperature rise of 40 degrees for machines other than totally enclosed having continuous rating. It also specifies a rise of 50 degrees for machines having a short-time rating. The 50 degrees rating thus appeared to be done away with so far as the British engineering standards were concerned.—Received. RAILWAY SETTLEMENT. • The architectural branch of the N.Z. Railways Department asked the board to extend its power mains to serve fifteen railway workers’ cottages, which were to form part of a railway settlement at Paeroa. The department estimated that the revenue from the cottages would exceed £45 per annum. The chairman said that the board had asked for a guarantee, which the department had refused. If the department was prepared to erect cottages at Paeroa and give an undertaking that the tenants would be re- - ' sponsible for the cost, he was of the opinion that the board should waive the guarantee. Mr Flatt explained the steps taken by the Paeroa Borough Council in the matter. The waiving of the guarantee was agreed to. HORAHORA POWER. The South Auckland Electric Power Boards’ League forwarded a copy of the reply received from the Minister lor Public Works with reference to the cost of current which stated that the rate of increase of load at Horahora had not, been so great as was estimated in the original estimates. The Horahora supply had been considerably overloaded for some time now, and the indications were that within a very short time after completion of the extensions the stations would again become overloaded; and there would still remain a large demand for power that could not be satisfied. That, of course, would be supplied from Arapuni as .soon as that station could be put into operation. With regard to the price to be paid by the boards, there was no doubt that if the boards, concerned • were prepared to guarantee the necessary load or the necessary annual revenue a supply could be given to them on terms similar to what had . been arranged for the supply to Auckland. The chairman said that the matter would be further discussed at the forthcoming conference in Wellington. PATETONGA LINE, The Hauraki Plains County Council wrote requesting expedition in the construction of the power line from Morrinsville through Patetonga to Waitakaruru. It was pointed out that the council was opening a quarry at Patetonga, and .would require electric power at an early date. The chairman remarked that the matter was bound up with the'question of carrying the line through . Patetonga and .the quantity of supply. Mr Flstt suggested that the board’s intention be intimated to the council. The chairman said the information had been supplied. • PAEROA DEPOT. Mr E. E. Gillman, architect, Paeroa, wrote in reply to the board’s request to have the roof of the Paeroa dypot repaired and advised that he had requested the contractor to have the matter attended to. Mr Flatt suggested that the matter should be into at once. * After a discussion as to whose was the laibility in the matter it was referred to .the chairman and Mr Flat 1 , with power to act. APPLICATION FOR RELEASE. l , Messrs Dawson Bros., Ngatea, ap- / plied co be released from their agreement for the supply of power owing to the mortgagee haying given notice that he was applying to the Supreme Court for permission to sell the property.—Agreed to, conditionally on the sale taking place. AVAILABILITY RATE. Mr Willy asked if the availability (non-consumers’) rate was .struck on the capital value of a property. The chairman said that it was. Mr Willy thought the rate should be struck on the unimproved value, the same as local bodies were doing. The chairman stated that any fur- _ ther suggestions or alterations would ® . only complicate matters, and he did j not favour a remit to be moved for > discussion by the conference. The whole matter was in evolution at present. STOPPAGES. Mr Flatt drew attention to the large number of stoppages and consequent inconvenience to consumers of electricity that had taken place in the Paeroa area during the past few months, and asked if it was not possible to have the interruptions considerably reduced. ‘He understood that the power - lines between Paeroa and Waikino had sagged somewhat, and suggested that attention should be given to the matter. Tn reply Mr McLeod stated that unavoidable trouble had been caused by ,-■ the floods, necessitating considerable repairs, and, in some cases, altera- * tions to the lines, but these had been effected with the minimum inconvenience to consumers. ■' - Mr McCormick intimated that in district he had noticed that some

of the fines appeared to be hanging low.

Mr McLeod said t,hat the hang of the wires varied with the temperature, for which provision had been made. The chairman intimated that a systematic inspection of the whole of the board’s lines was now being undertaken, and the lines would be put in order as the defects became apparent. after which the lines would be regularly patrolled. By such means it was hoped to correct faults and avoid inconvenience to consumers. PAEROA TRANSFORMER. Mr Flatt drew attention to the fact that the Paeroa transformer had not yet been covered in, and suggested that this be done as soon as possible. He contended that it was a hardship as well as an inconvenience for the linesmen to work on the transformer in its present state. The chairman replied that the matter had not been overlooked, and that the engineers were arranging to have the transformer lowered from its resent position, after which it w'ould be housed in. INSPECTION FEES. Mr Willy asked if it was reasonable for Cue Inspector of Machinery to make an annual charge o£ 2s 6d for the inspection of each 2-h.p. motor. He pointed out that if the motor lasted 40 years a considerable sum would be paid away in inspection fees, and he considered it an imposition. The chairman stated that the board had no authority to interfere with the Department. OBSTRUCTION BY TREES. Mr .Willy asked what, action the board proposed to take with reference to trees overhanging power lines. The manager stated that a couple of men were now engaged by the board to tour the district and deal with trees en route. Mr Strange' suggested that where settlers transgressed the board should claim in full for the damage done. The difficulty appeared to be in assessing the amount of damage done. A line might be damaged to an extent of about £lO, but that amount would not recompense for the inconvenience caused to consumers by dislocation or stoppage of power. In .answer to Mr Flatt the chairman said ihat the onus rested with the settlers to keep overhanging trees off the wires, and if they failed to keep them in check the board would be forced to take action, or else claim from them for any damage to the lines arising out of the obstruction. Mr Price thought many people would prefer to pay a sum rather than have their trees destroyed. Mr Flatt contended that the board should have the right to decide what trees were likely to interfere with power lines. It should have the authority in the interests of the service. Mr Strange favoured drastic action being taken against offenders. it was. decided to leave the matter in the hands of the chairman to frame a remit for presentation at the conference. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £6670 9s lid on the power account and £3688 9s 7d on the loan account were passed for payment. CHAIRMAN’S HONORARIUM. It was decided that the chairman's honorarium for the ensuing year year shoulc be £250.