POWER BOARD WORKS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5396, 6 March 1929, Page 2

POWER BOARD WORKS.

OPERATIONS DURING FEBRUARY. ENGINEER’S REPORT. Tlie engineer, Air N. G. McLeod, reported to the Thames Valley Power Board meeting yesterday on work carried out (luring February follows : “Ngatea.- Alterations necessary to tupply lines in connection with the laying the new cable at the Ngatea bridge are now- completed. “Puhanga Canal.—A new substation with 10 K.V.A. transformer was, constructed and put into service near the Kaihere landing to deal with growth of loading. “Thames Road. —Forty chains of low tension has been erected to sup-> ply new consumers. “Paeroa Borough.—Extra phas.es wore run along Hill Streef via Flora Street to supply a new motor at the bulk oid depot. Poles have been distributed for the new low tension extension to Willoughby Street, “Thaines Borough Sub-station. —The installation of the; cubicle switchgear and cables preparatory to the removal of the transformers from Parawai was commenced on February 18 and is proceeding. “Sub-stations—-Transformer changes were made at the following pointy, owing to growth or change of loading: Kerepeehi Road, Omahu, Kauaerahga, Matatoki, River Road, Hopai, and Mangawhero Road. - “Patetcnga-Maukoro.—-Work on this section has been- delayed to allow Hie Lands Department to finish the grading before poles are erected. “Fires.—A fire; occurred on Febru-* ary at Owharoa, in the vicinity of our main 11,000-volt line from Waikino. Several poles were threatened with destruction, but. the of the staff saved a H but one silver pine pole, which was destroyed, Supplj’ was maintained on the lines until 9.45 p.m., when the position was too dangerous, to carry on. The loading, from Paeroa outwards was transferred to Waihou, without interruption, while; temporary repairs w r ere effected 1 . “Voltage Complaints.—A number of complaints were received during the month from consumers, particularly these from the Waihou point <tf supply, this being due to our receiving supply at Waihou via Bombay while repairs were being carried out at Horahqra. Nonna] coditions now pi’CH vail. “Electric Truck.—This machine has been able to put in full time this month, and etiod work was done. Many service lines have been erected and a deal of tree-c,Utting has bepn carried out.” In reply to Mr Corbett the assistant engineer said that. Waikino could have been given supply before 1.30' a.m., but it would have meant taking men off the; fire-fighting .work. As it waß» only one pole was lost, but if the fighting had been interrupted stf great many poles would have gqne and a sei ions stoppage been cilusedl SUPPLY FROM ARAPUNI. Dealing with interruptions, to supply, the; chairman said that the public should know that the PublicWorks Department had, . during the last few months, experienced very great difficulties. ' Since the Horahora, fire temporary gear had been installed, and owing, to thq many different places from which s,apply was drawn, and the varying methods bf. generating, it was very difficult to join them up when a fault occurred. He had recently inspected the work at. Arapuni, and was surprised) at the progress made. Thej-e appeared to be little doubt that Arapuni would b® available in the time mentioned, two, months. henc,e, though stoppages ■might be necessary after the initial try-out. At Waikafemoaha supply had been available from the; time of the first try-out, but in such large works as these, this achievement was almost more than could be expected.