ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4836, 29 May 1925, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER BOARD

REVIEW OF YEAR’S WORK. CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT. Following is tne chairman’s report on the operations for the last twelve months submitted to the Thames Valley Electric Power Board’s annual meeting at Te Arolia on Tuesday:— “On the conclusion of another year of office I have pleasure in placing before you a brief report of the past year’s operations. The engineer and manager-secretary will each furnish a report of the year'q affairs, so far as they affect their individual departments.

“The reticulation of the Board’s area has been steadily prosecuted and has reached the stage where the mileage set out in your original scheme has been completed. New areas, however, are being continually developed which call for additions and extensions, so that for some time to come there will be 11901! for further capital expenditure, wliich, provided it is laid out on commercial lines, should not prove burdensome. “The main feature of the year is the completion of the original scheme of reticulation and the (severance of our connection with Messrs Gauvain and McLeod as consulting engineers. The work has been completed .at a reduction of over £40,000 under the original estimates, and reflects the highest credit on its designers and supervisors, and the staff of workmen employed under them. » “The year has been marked with a comparatively small number of interruptions in service, and the Public Works Department and your own istafC have worked strenuously ami effectively in reducing the inconvenience to a minimum. In this direction it is extremely, satisfactory to record that the department has decided to construct a line from Pokeno to Waikino which will give a much greater security of supply, more particularly to consumers in the Hauraki Plains, You, too, have decided on the installation of three synchronous con dcnscrs, which will prove of immense advantage in voltage regulation and improvement of power factor, resulting in increased efficiency and decreased departmental charges. “The year hats also been marked with immunity from serious accident, one only having occurred, the real extent of wihch cannot at present be determined.

“During the year the Borough of Waihi has been partially reticulated, and as an outer area is now served with current for various purposes.

“Your action in striking an availability rate has catrsed some comment and forcibly impressed on the ratepayers in the vicinity of our lines ibeii ie.,ponsibilitv to tiie ■uulertaking. It has had the effect of securing a number of extra consumers without any extra capital outlay on the part of the Board. The most serious objection has been to the mimuimum of £l, whLh is altogether out of .topertion to the general application of the rate. This anomaly will, I feel sure, be removed by amending legislation in the coming year, to which end the Beard is using its utill st endeavour.

“The general utility of electricity is being more fully demonstrated each month .in your area, in farm, mine, foundry, workshop, quarry, fl'axmill, sawmill, and the various sections of the home. Arrangements are now being made to serve a large dredge just built for the Lands Department witn complete electrical equipment, and an experiment has just; been completed of making maize ensilage With the assistance, of electric heating.

“Your amended tariff for electric ranges and waterheaters is already inducing a load which promises to

assume considerable, proportions. The completion of the engagement of your consulting engineers made it neces-

sai'y to appoint a permanent engineering staff, and your choice of chief engineer has fallen on- Mr N. G. McLeod. His ability amF general knowledge of your 'scheme and district, coupled with his pleasing personality, ensures the appointment being increasingly satisfactory to you and consumers in your area.

“Another event, of extreme importance is the placing of a contract with Messrs Armstrong, Whitworth Co. by the Minister for Public Works for tiie construction of a generating station at Arapuni. This, when completed, will assure ample power for the district’s need for a considerable time. The more immediate concern is sufficient power till Arapuni is available. Tiie Department is fully alive to this question, and has almost completed tiie extensions at Horahora, and has arranged for supply from Tauranga and the Grand Junction Mining Co., of Waihi, in addiiton to securing any surplus that Auckland Electric Bower Board may have. The pooling of these various sources of isupply should meet all requirements till Arapuni is available.

“The gradual depletion of Australian forest witli a consequent increase in pole costs make it advisable that future needs should be anticipated. With this end in view several inspections of suitable lands have been made and possible costs seriously considered and checked by expert advisers, and a full report on the subject will shortly be placed before you. “The question of setting aside a portion of annual revenue as a renewal fund and a suitable investment for same, making it ready of access in ease of emergency as well ajs returning a reasonable rate of interest, has given me considerable thought. 1 have discussed the matter with several departmental officers, and hope to lay some arrangement before you in the near future.

“The most important issue of the coming year its the renewal of dur contract for supply from the Public Works Department which expired at the end of March of this year. Several details of the old contract can be modi tied with mutual advantage, while the fixing of' price for the new term will be waited on with more tli an ord inray interest by all concerned.

“The gradual development of the area under your control necessitates extensions of your lines and call for

fresh funds. In this direction I have, under your instructions, been able to secure a further from the Public Trustee, payable in, instalments as needed. This should complete all your requirements for the coming year.

“Before closing 1 would like to make mention of the very material assistance wo have received from the Public Works Department and its officers. The various matters- that have been dealt with by them have received a generous and thoughtful consideration, which has created a feeling of complete confidence and independence. “I wish to record my deep apprOr oration of the very whole-hearted manner in which you have assisted me in handling the affairs of the Board. Your almost continuous attendance and keen interest at board meetings are evidence that your ratepayers’ confidence has not been misplaced, while your personal knowledge of the immediate wants of your various districts has been a very decided help to the staff in its work. “To the manager and office, the engineering, construction, sales, and wiring 'staffs, I wish to extend my very sincere thanks for their unfailing courtesy and loyalty to me and their application and continued interest in their individual part of hydroelectric distribution in this district.’’