ELECTRIC POWER.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5444, 5 July 1929, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD. ENGINEER’S REPORT. Following is the report, in part, submitted by the engineer, Mr N. G. McLeod, to the Thames Valley Electric Power Board at its meeting on Tuesday last, covering the period since the previous meeting : — “Paeroa Borough.—The 400-volt line in Fraser Street was extended 10 chains with 7-14th cable to supply the new hospital.

“Waikino. —The 400-volt line in King Street has been extended 14 chains to supply a new milking plant. Ten chains of 7-18th two-wire circuit was dismantled and 24 chains of 7-16th four-wire circuit run.

“Puke Pole Dump.—Four piles have been driven by the Public Works Department for the unloading ramp at Puke. , The ramp when completed will make for greater ease in unloading poles. “Kerepeehi Substation.—The alarm system in this station was put into operation on May 22 and has been operating satisfactorily since then. “Storms.—On Wednesday, June .19, a severe gale blew over the Te Aroha district and caused a tree to crash through both our main lines to Morrinsville at Waihou. Power was oif this section for an hour, when an auxiliary supply was made available. Repairs were quickly effected on the isolated section.

“Trouble was caused by lightning on May 29 and June 12, the transformers at Wright’s and at the Te Aroha West factory being damaged. The damaged transformers were replaced by others. The damage was not extensive.

“On June 19 the staff was kept busy on minor trouble calls in the Paeroa district due to the severe easterly gale. There was no general trouble in this area, however.

“The lightning storms on June 27 and 28 caused a little interruption, three transformers being put out of action : these were replaced from existing stocks.

“During the storm on May 26-27 a number of high tension fuses were blown during the ligntning disturbances. No other* trouble occurred, however, except the blowing down of a consumer’s service line on blue gum poles supplied by the consumer. “New Installations. —The seasonal demand for new installations has commenced, and the men have been engaged for a considerable part of their time on the erection of services.” MANAGER’S REPORT. The following is ain extract of the report presented by the manager, Mr R. Sprague : — “Meters.—As soon as sufficient stocks of meters are to hand a start will be made installing meters in the following manner : Cut all the supply area into four districts, namely, Kerepeehi, Waikino, Waihou, and Matamata ,* start to meter the Kerepechi area first, starting from Tahuna and proceeding through the district, taking in all the west side of the Waihou River between Netherton and the sea ; proceed to meter the Waikino area from Matatoki to Mangaiti on the east side of the Waihou River ; proceed to meter Waihou in two areas, one, the west side of the main railway line, and thence to the east side of the railway ; proceed with the Matamata district in a similar manner, using the railway line as a line of demarkation between the sub-areas.

“It- is very difficult obtaining delivery of timber and poles from Australia, but our requirements have been met to date, and the Waihi Plains reticulation will commence within the next two weeks.

Consumers. —-The total number of consumers connected te the board’s tmains is now 6963, which includes the Thames and To Aroha boroughs, con taining 1074 and 640 consumers respectively. During the month 39 lighting and heating consumers, seven water-heaters, nine electric ranges, and two motors on farms were connected. There are now connected and operating 1697 water-heaters, 302 electric ranges, and 2132 motors on farms —of which 1776 are 2 h.p. nf Iking motors. In addition, 25 consumers had lighting and heating ex tensions made during the month, and one 25 h p., one 7J h.p., three 2'h.p, and one 1J h.p. motors wore connected on meter rates. During the month 15 2 h.p. motors were disconnected, the reason being that the consumers have gone out of dairying. Quite a number of applications for milkingmotors to be installed for next season have been received.

"Canvass, Kerepeehi B'ock. —A canvass of the Kerepeehi block, which has recently be,en thrown open to settlers, has been made, and the result is before you this day.”