POWER BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4982, 2 June 1926, Page 3

POWER BOARD.

CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT. PAST YEAR’S OPERATIONS. At last Thursday’s meeting of tlie Thames Valley Electric Powej- Board the following report wa,s presented by the chairman (Mr F. H. Claxton) : “The demand for electricity has steadily increased and the volume of business in our trading department has been maintained. Requests for extensions to our system have continued throughout the; year, a number df which have been completed, a number more authorised, and others are being investigated. “Among the items of more .than ordinary interest are : (1) The Public Works Department’s decision to construct a '50,000-volt line from Bombay to Waikino, with a substation at Kerepeehi. This will act as a duplicate supply to our whole system, and will be of immense value to our whole area in the event of any dislocation of .the present supply. (2) The construction by the department of a line; from Katikati to Waikino. This has on several occasions proved its value by supplying current !to the northern part Of our system during temporary dislocation of the Horahora supply* (3) The purchase by the board of three se;ts of synchronous condensers, which will, act as voltage regulators and power factor correctors and will result, in greater value of supply to the consumers and considerable saving to the board in purchase. (4) The purchase of a number of sets of leakage relays to secure greater safety to human and animal; life in the event of. falling wines;. (5) The decision of the board to purchase; an area of land at Waitakarurn for treeplanting for poles. This will, I believe, resnlt in a, supply of po.es in 25 to 30 years at present-day prices, and give a handsome return on the capital invested. (6) The completion of additions to Horahora, thus increasing its capacity to 10 r ,300 k.w. (7) The decision of the department to double the transformer capacity of the feed point at Waihom This has now been completed. This should remove for some time all fea,r of any trouble from overloading. (8) The successful carrying on May 12 of the poll to borrow a further £150,000 for extensions as required. This, amount will provide for a considerable time sufficient funds to meet all demands for supply of power.

“Our purchases of current from Horahora give an indication of the steady growth of our demand, and as as. follows : 1923, 3,785,0'00 units; 1924; 7,019,366 units ; 1925, 10,198,688 units ; 1926, approximately 14,000,000 units.

“Sales of electricity have amounted to. £76,302, as against £59,001 for the previous year, and returns from the trading departmemnt reached £42,997, as against £33,232 for the preceding year. The nett result of the; year’s income and expenditure is a surplus of £1267 'ss 2d, which Will be added to our reserve fund.

“It is interesting to note that had the; board operated for the sale Of current alone a deficiency of £10,044 16s would haye resettled in 1925. A similar comparison for the year ended March, 1926, shows the deficit to be £4020 12s. I confidently anticipate that the sales df current in the coming year will meet all charges and provide a surplus without any assistance from the trading department. “I would strongly urge that a. definite; sum be. set aside this year as a renewal fund to augment the reserves already in hand, and thus,' provide the means to meet any contingency that may arise.

“The sales of water-heaters have inc'cased very largely, and will, provide a considerable profitable revenue a? l.heir use is confined to off-peak hours.

"There is abundant proof .that the use df the motor and the water-hqat-er in the milking she.d is the cause of an increase in the proportion of superfine butter-fat obtained, the exact value of which to the producers as a whole must be a considerable, item, and should be taken into account when comparing the cost of electricity versus benzine on the farm.

“The increased use of electricity for cooking is evidenced by its. percentage of our total load rising 'from .98 in 1925 to 3.96 in 1926. I predict a very rapid advance hi this direption, and feel sure, that a very substantial proportion of the board’s revenue will be accrued from the use of electricity in the home. An indication of the more varied uses of the current purchased is the fact, that in 1925 power purchases amounted to £21,281 a,nd sales £59,001, and in 1926 purchases totalled £25,627 and sales £76,302, showing an increase, of £4346 in power purchased, resulting in an advance of £17,200 in sales of current. "I have again to record my appreciation of the work of, the staff, to whom in no small measure must be credited .the success of the past year. I wish a,iso to acknowledge the continued kindly offices rendered by the Public Works Department during the year.

“To the members of the board I am again indebted for a year of keen interest and hearty participation in the general administration. As this is my final meeting I would like to tender my deep appreciation of your general attitude towards me whilst I have ha ; d the pleasure! of leading the board’s affairs. Your thorough knowledge. of local; body procedure has resulted in an avoidance of all unnecessary discussion, an observance of the rules of debate, and a prompt, businesslike handling of the various matters submitted to you. Your unquestionexl acceptance of my rulings and your loyal support during the whole of my term have made my service a pleasure and our joint achievement a pride. Together we have been enabled to lay the solid foundation of an institution that is proving of immense be.neflt to-day within the scope of our operations, and which will be of increasing value as the years go by in eliminating the drudgery of the farm, the workshop, and the home. I wish a,lso to add my 'appreciation to the. Press. Its attitude has always been reasonable and its assistance,

valuable. “May I bespeak for my successor the same hearty support and assistance you have accorded me. With your joint efforts in continuing the policy you have laid down I foresee a. measure of success that will give satisfaction to your ratepayers and will be a lasting memorial to your work as members of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board.”