SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5062, 8 December 1926, Page 2

SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY.

government sums up position. VIEWS OF THAMES VALLEY BOARD The question of continuity of supply of electric energv was brought under the notice of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board at its meeting yesterday, When a circular letter was received frjpm the chief electrical engineer of the Public Works Department, Wellington. In the communication the department pointed out the importance of keeping the correct voltage on the lines and the bad effect of erratic voltage on all booking appliances, \ The following points were tioned:—“A tradesman or firm selling ‘light weight’ incurs the penalty of the law for defrauding the customer, and low voltage can be deemed to be in the same category as light-weight The consumer i& paying for electrical supplyl a ( t a specified voltage, and tkis supply should be up .to the required standard. The ‘quality’ is directly dependent upon voltage regulations, and electrical energy loses; its value as a commodity wheai variations in voltage exceed certain limits. . . This department -is to co-operate with all electric supply authorities in providingl a, commodity which will be in popular demand. I hope . . • all electric supply authorities will . • • con * tinue to rejider the service to which all consumers are entitled.” In reply l to Mr F. E. Flatt the engineer (Mr N._ G. McLeod) said that the installation of the synchronous condensers did improve the position, and people paid for what current they had used only. Mr Flatt considered that the board was not giving the gjood service that it should.

The engineer said he ha dnot received apy complaints from Paeroa in regard to voltage. Any defect at Paeroa was due to Government faults on the supply lines. The Government might do considerably mj>re, and it would pay handsomely. Mr Flatt still contended that the

voltage at Paeroa wag unsatisfactory.

Mr J. Price suggested that some power boards had put in insufficient wiring, whereby due allowance had not been made for cocking stoves and water-heaters. The Government was apparently trying to guard against insufficiency of wiring, and in that respect the boards had possibly made mistakes.

The engineer explained that under the regulations power boards were required to give a 5 per cent, margin one, way or the other.

: In reply to Mr J. W. Anderson the engineer said that the supply from Horahora was satisfactory on the present load.

Mr Flatt stated that at Paeroa the lighting meters varied considerably, and he wished to know the reasoti. The engineer explained that it might be due to incorrect reading of the; meters, but in any case the matter wtould right itself the month following. x‘

Mr Flatt said that in the meantime considerable dissatisfaction-was

expressed. The letter was referred to the engineer. '