ELECTRICITY THE WIZARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3824, 28 July 1928, Page 1

ELECTRICITY THE WIZARD.

DRAINS FLOODED -AREA'S AND ! HATCHES CHICKENS. The uses to which electric current may be put are manifold. Two of the most modern developments in this direction were under the notice of the Horowhenua Power Board on Wednesday, one relating lo the removal of flood water and the other to the raising of chickens. PUMPING AT MAKERUA. A letter was' received from the flaxmilling firm of Miranui Ltd., in reference to a supply of power for their flood pump on the vegetation drain situated near the Makerua railway crossing. The writer (Mr. A. Seifert, managing director) staled that he was glad to hear that, after going into the matter further, the Board had been able to think of a cheap way of supplying the power. He had had various quotations for benzine engines, but, although some of these were favourable, the firm preferred to use electric power on account of its greater convenience. They were prepared to guarantee the Board £SO as revenue from the line that the Board would erect to supply the pump. Three other pumps would be required —as far as the writer could judge—not far from the firm’s vegetation flood-pump, and each of these pumps would require #ve horse-power. The firm’s mill would start very shortly, and they wanted to prevent water covering their grass land during periods when the flood-gate was closed by a rise in the Tokomaru stream.

The chairman (Mr. G. A. Monk) stated that the engineer (Mr. J. A. Smith) and himself had discussed the matter from various aspects, and they recommended to the Board that high tension poles be taken to a particular point and a low tension line run on them, having in view the possible future of the Makerua lands and the consequent demand for current. As the starting of the mill was an urgent matter, and as a guarantee had been given, lie had given authority for the work of power extension to be proceeded with. Some of the material was on the ground, but the erection had not yet been commenced. The engineer, in his monthly report, referred to the application, a misstated that the estimated cost of the low tension line from the main Shannon-Tokomaru line was £235. Ho added that this line would also serve a house on the Main Road, the occupiers being agreeable to instal electricity and the revenue from this not being included in the £SO guarantee. Thirtythree foot poles would be used, providing for a high tension line which would eventually be required along the road, under construction across what was the Makerua Swamp. Four farms had been taken up there; but it would require about 3£ miles of E.H.T., one mile of L.T. and one mile L.T. under E.H.T. to serve these and the Central Camp. On the motion of Mr. Vincent, seconded by Mr. Barber, the chairman’s action was confirmed. Mr. Barber said he thought that other flood areas might be brought under a similar scheme. He asked for information as to the charges for current for this purpose, and the Engineer undertook to supply the details. MILKING MOTORS. The engineer stated that he had received a number of inquiries with a view to installations of milking motors. The chairman remarked that he anticipated considerable development in this direction in the next five or six j r ears. INCUBATORS AND BROODERS. Mr. Seifert asked if the engineer had had any inquiries on the subject of electric heat for incubators. The engineer stated that he had been asked about the charge for heating brooders. The current was already used for this purpose by various poultrymen, some of whom used it to heat water and others to heat oil, as mediums for holding the warmth. He considered that it would be only fair to charge for this current under the water-hea-ter rate. If it was only used for three or six months, the current could he disconnected for the balance of the year and the charge adjusted accordingly. The gentleman who had interviewed him accepted the Engineer’s suggestion to use a radiator lamp. This device was easier to fit, and had been very successfully used in Ashburton. It would take the place of the kerosene lamp. Replying to a question by Mr. Barber, the engineer stated that the electric lamp was a 250-watt one. The power used for the waterheater of the household type was 600 watts, and the charge was- at the rate of £l2 per annum per kilowatt.

Mr. Seifert said that the Board should encourage the development of this branch of their business. He moved that the engineer be instructed to bring down a report on the matter to the next meeting.

Mr. Barber seconded the motion. He stated that there were quite a number of chicken-raisers in his district (Foxton), and the industry might grow considerably. Mr. Smith stated that at the recent c6nferenee, he had spoken to a number of other engineers about poultry-raising. He had obtained a number of particulars from some of them, and others had promised information, both in regard to incubators and brooders. Mr. Vincent asked if there was any possibility of having a heating apparatus that would work automatically, so that a rise in the temperature would out off the current. Mr. Smith stated that such devices were already in operation. There were several kinds on the market,'and they would maintain an absolutely constant temperature. Some of them had an attachment by means of which, if the current was accidentally cut off, a lamp was lighted; in other types the device would ring a bell in the house in such an emergency. The engineer cited an automatic switch used in a hot-house for controlling an electric fan.

The motion calling for a report was carried.