ELECTRIC POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4772, 5 November 1924, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD, MONTHLY MEETING. Tin; regular meeting of the "1 hames Valley Electric Power Board was field at Tc Arolia yesterday, the chairman, Mr F. .H. Claxton, presiding over Messrs C. A. Arthur, J. B. Thomas, G, Howie, F, E. Flatt, J. Price, J. Po.hlen, J. W. Anderson, F. M. Strange, W. E. G, Willy, J, W. McCormick, and P. Grace. Mr R. Sprague, secretarymanager, and Messrs Gauvain and McLeod, engineers, also attended. APPRECIATION. ‘ Mr F. T. M. Kissel, chief electrical engineer, Wellington, wrote acknowledging the board’s congratulations on his appointment and istated that the standard set by his predecessors and the national importance of the work would be a constant source of inspiration. He trusted that the cordial and friendly spirit which had permeated the official duties in the past would prevail throughout his term of office. MATAMATA DAIRY FACTORY. The Public Works Department wrote that the proposal to supply the Matamata dairy factory at a reduced rate under a three-party agreement had been approved. ACCOUNT IN ARREARS. The Rising Sun Gold Mining Co. wrote that the directors had agreed to pay £5O a week off the arrears of the account for electricity, and they also agreed to the board disconnecting the supply if the payments were not kept up/ The letter stated that if the board was not prepared to accept the offer and cut off the supply of power the company would be forced into liquidation. Such action, it was contended, would be criminal, as the prospects of the mine were never better. The offer was accepted conditional upon the £5O a week off the arrears being paid together with regular payments for the daily supply of electricity. In reply to Mr Flatt the chairman said that the arrears amounted io nearly £6OO. Mr Flatt said it appeared to him that dealing with a mining company was rather dangerous, and he thought quarterly accounts gave it too mucn scope. He favoured strictly monthly (.statements. It was agreed to consider the suggestion when the arrears were paid off. ELSTOW WASHOUT. The Piako County Council advised that It was prepared to accept £25 towards repairing the damage to the drain and culvert at Elstow. If that arrangement did not suit the board the council was prepared to allow the board to do the work to the satisfaction of the county engineer.— Consideration was deferred. SUPPLY OF POWER. The Public Works Department acknowledged the Board’s intention not to enter into any guarantee to take extra power that might be available from Horahora over and above the 2500-k w. it was now using. The department intended being very careful not to allocate .any power unless ii was certain that the power was going to be used, .and considered that the guarantees for extra power we'.e reasonable. POWER STOPPAGES. The N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd., wrote complaining about interruptions of power at its diied milkpowder factories, serious losses being sustained thereby. While it w,as understood that the new rates for power were subject, to the use of gtand-by power, it was certainly not considered that it would be necessary to hold the generators under steam continuously, which would be the case if the company was likely .to experience a repetition of the troubl.e, Losses of the extent mentioned were really of! tire first importance, and would over-; ride any question of power rating. j Accompanying correspondence from; factory managers showed the position and detailed losses showing that atl the Tj Awamutu factory the loss on: one occasion was 45001 b of milk. | Mr Strange said that the complaint! was justified. If the only solution of the problem was duplication of the, lines, the board should push the matter hi that direction. Mr Strange moved that as the matter was a very serious one it should •be urged upon the department as forcibly as possible.. Mr Thomas seconded and the motion was carried. RESTRICTED HOURS. In reply to Mr Grace the chairman said that the restrictions could be lifted off industrial loads only if those cosumers were prepared to pay the extra rate, but up to the present a complete agreement had not been reached. The cost was based on working off the peak load hours. If quarries could arrange to work night shifts the cast for power would be reduced by nearly one-third. COOKING BY ELECTRICITY. In teply to Mr Flatt the engineer (Mr N.G McLeod).said that he had not yet had an opportunity to submit a return in connection with cooking by electricity, but he would make every endeavour to collect data before the December meeting. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £12,692 10s Bd, including £7971 4s 2d on the power fund account and £4721 6s 6d on the loan account, were passed for payment.