POWER BOARD WORKS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5482, 2 October 1929, Page 4

POWER BOARD WORKS

LAST MONTH’S OPERATIONS. MANAGER’S REPORT. The following report covering the work of the month, was presented to the Thames Valley Power Board meeting yesterday by the manager, Mr R. Sprague :— “Torehape Canvass.—This canvass was completed during the month, and the revenue offering showed a considerable deficiency. It would require six additional milking motors or 10 electric ranges to make the reticulation a payable one to the board. The alternative is for the consumers to guarantee fixed annual amounts for a period of five years. The settlers have been notified to this effect, but nothing has been received from them. “Consumers.—The total number of consumers connected to the board’s mains now totals 7106, which includes the Thames and Te Aroha boroughs, Thames consumers numbering 1074 and Te Aroha 640. During the month 80 lighting and heating consumers, 63 water-heaters, 5 electric ranges, and 36 motors on farms were connected. Therti are now connected and operating 1810 water heaters, 326 electric ranges, and 2204 motors on farms, including 1822 2 h.p. milking motors. In addition, 38 consumers had lighting and heating extensions made during the month, and one 68 h.p., two 3 h.p., one 1?- h.p., and two 2 h.p. motors were connected on meter rates.

“A steady demand is still operating for the installing of milking motors, especially from farmers who have been using petrol engines. Ample stocks of poles and copper are now to hand, and all reticulation work is being speeded up. It is proposed to start a further two gangs for metering installations on or about Ist November. This is now possible owing to ample supplies of meters coming to hand.

The revenue from the sales of electricity for the year ending March 31, 1929, dissected, comprising the constituent districts of the board, including Putaruru, are as follows :—Piako County Council, £40,947 9s lOd ; Matamata County Council, £27,600 12s 3d ; Hauraki Plains County Council, £18,293 12s 9d; Ohinemuri County Council, £10,055 7s 8d ; Thames County Council, £3927 16s 6d ; Paeroa Borough, £5183 12s 3d ; Morrinsville Borough, £4979 16s lOd ; Thames Borough, £3699 12s lid ; Te Aroha Borough, £1456 13s 4d ; Matamata Town District, £3450 12s 2d ; and Putaruru Town District, £1974 Is Total £121,569 7s 6d. “The largest consumers in the above districts comprise the following :— “Piako County : Dairy factories (including Waitoa), flaxmills, timbermills, quarries, and milking motors. Matamata County: Dairy factories (including Waharoa), quarries, tim-ber-mills, and milking motors. Hauraki Plains County : Dairy factories, flaxmills, drainage pumps, and milking motors. Ohinemuri County : Mining companies (Waihi and Waikino, revenue £3071 8s 6d)) and milking motors. Thames County: Quarries and milking motors. Paeroa Borough: Dairy factory. Morrinsville Borough: Dairy factories. Thames Borough : Bulk supply. Te Aroha Borough : Bulk supply. Matamata Town District : Dairy factory.” ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer, Mr N. G. McLeod, included the following in his report:— “Waihi Plains.—The poling of the 11,000-volt line from Waikino to Waihi has been extended approximately 2J miles, and has now reached the borough boundary. A further 90 chains each of 11,000-volt circuit and high tension telephone circuit have been completed and a new transformer station and section switch erected. All fences over which the line passes have been earthed. “Waihi Borough.—A short extra phase extension of 7-14 T.B. has been run in Seddon Avenue to supply range loading, and the street light at the Hospital transformer has been moved to the footpath. “Ohinemuri Mine.—The transformer structure for this station has been completed, and necessary line alterations are being made. The 400k.v.a. transformer has now arrived, and is being sent up to the battery immediately. “Thames Road.—Twenty-one chains of 7-14 400-volt circuit have been run from Nathan’s transformer northward to supply new milking consumers. “The transformer bn Hubbard’s Road is being moved towards the centre of the load on this road, and some of its present load is being transferred to Nathan’s transformer. “Paeroa Borough.—Advantage is being taken of the reforming of Station Road to erect 35ft poles in'place of the existing 30ft poles. This will allow of an 11,000-volt circuit being run to deal with the increasing demand. “Kerepeehi.—The low tension mains in the Kerepeehi township have been ringed to improve supply. “Tree-planting.—The planting of a further 7000 trees on the board’s section at Waitakaruru has been completed. “Meters.—Some 400 meters have been installed in the district supplied from the Kerepeehi feed point. Work started at the Tahuna end and has advanced along the western outskirts of the district to Rawerawe Road. The strength of the meter-installation staff will be doubled shortly. “Workshop, etc.—This department has been kept very busy during the month with transformer repairs, switchboard erection, meter testing, and house wiring, the demand in the latter case being more prolonged than usual.”