POWER BOARD WORKS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5497, 6 November 1929, Page 4

POWER BOARD WORKS

OPERATIONS DURING MONTH. ENGINEER’S REPORT. The engineer, Mi’ N. G. McLeod, included the following in his report to the monthly meeting of the Thames Valley Electric Power Board yesterday :— “Waihi Plains.—The 400-volt line from Blackmore’s to Taylor’s along Old Tauranga has been erected It has been wired with 7-14 copper. “A 25 k.v.a. 11,000-volt substation and a high tension telephone station have been erected on Franklin Road. These were put into commission on October 15. Power is now available on Franklin Road from Waikino to the Waihi Borough boundary to all consumers except two near the Victioria bridge, Waihi. These two will be supplied from a new transformer station in the borough. “Poles are laid out through the town, and are fitted ready for erection as far as the Tauranga bridge, including Gilmore Street to Kenny Street. The line has been pegged as far as the last consumer on Tauranga Road. It is expected to have the survey completed right through to Waihi Beach within a fortnight. “Ohinemuri Mine.—Power was made available at the battery on October 14, over 300 h.p. in motors being connected at this point. The lighting, installation, and the wiring of the crane have yet to be completed. The battery is expected to be working at full capacity within about a week. “Wilson’s Road.—A short low tension extension has been constructed down this road from Awaiti Road, 30ft poles and 7-16 copper being used. “Orchard West Road: —The 400volt line on this road has been extended 16 chains on 30ft poles to supply three new consumers. The conductors erected were of 7-14 copper. “Wharepoa.—Owing to the growth of load on Factory Road, it was found necessary to replace 60 chains of 7-18 with 7-14 copper, the line being overhauled at the same time. “Paeroa Borough.—The work ?f changing poles in Station Road has been completed. “Puke Landing.—The pole-landing stage at the Puke wharf has now been decked. “Meters.—Good progress is being made with the installation of meters, approximately 1000 having been installed to date. In the Hauraki Plains district the whole of the western, side of the Piako River has been completed. On the eastern side, between the Piako and Waihou rivers, metering has been completed from Kopuarahi-Orongo southwards to Orchard East Road.

“Two new meter installation gangs have been started in the Te Aroha district during the past month. They started at the Ruakaka end of Te Aroha, and are working through the Mangaiti district to Paeroa. “System Voltage.—The voltage over the whole area was somewhat irregular during the month, especially during the first half, owing to the Public Works Department changing our supply to Bombay. It was necessary to alter the transformer taps at each feed point to allow of suitable voltage being obtained. The Waihou feed point, being at the end of the Government supply, suffered worst, and there were many serious complaints from consumers regarding voltage. To assist matters the department is running the Grand Junction plant until the Horahora line section has been overhauled. This will probably take anothei' two weeks. Conditions now are very much better, and there is little ground for complaint.”