HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 22, 27 January 1937, Page 12 (Supplement)

HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD

JANUARY MEETING. The first meeting of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board for the new year was held in the Board’s room at Levin yesterday morning. There were present: Messrs G. A. Monk (chairman), J. K. Hornblow, F. W. Vickerman, A. Seifert, A. E. Hyde, D. Richards, W. Barber, C. S. Keedwell,' F. J. Ramsay (treasurer), and J. A. Smith (engineer). Leave of absence was granted Mr. T. G. Vincent. Donation Acknowledged. A letter was received from the Horowhenua A. and P. Association acknowledging the Board’s donation to the prize money at its forthcoming show. The communication was received. Application For Power. Applying for the supply of power to Uia property, a letter was received from Mr. C. Sawyer, of Te Horo. The treasurer said that the engineer’s estimate of a service line w r as £l4, and the applicant had made satisfactory arrangements for the installation on that basis. However, since then a further letter had been received stating that later on he would probably require a range and water-heater, thus making a three phase line necessary, instead of a two phase as in the first instance. The engineer was given authority to proceed with the work, provided satisfactory arrangements could be made in regard to the additional cost. The chairman remarked that he thought this was a case where the installation could be made. Treasurer’s Report. The treasurer submitted a statement of the revenue earned for the nine months ended December 31st, 1936, and showing the following increases on the corresponding period of the previous year:—

The statement shows that the steady increase in sales, which lias marked this year’s work, has been maintained. The sales for domestic purposes arc now £Bl7 ahead of last year, which is, I think, particularly satisfactory in view of the heavy reductions made in the domestic tariff. On the commercial side, the sales for lighting, heating .ind water-heating, show an increase of £330, while power sales arc up by £920. The total net increase over last year is now £1783. Tko cost of bulk power purchased for the three-quarters of the current year, amounted to £15,960, an increase of £952 over the same period last year. The position is, however, better than these figures really indicate for the increased returns from additional installations, always lags behind the power bill. For example—the revenue from all the additional installations of ranges and water-heaters put on in December, 1936, is not shown in the above returns, but any additional costs ror bulk power from these new connections, is, of course, included. If the same rate of progress can be maintained over the last quarter of the year, rherc is every likelihood of the gross sales passing the £54,000 mark. The report shows an entirely satisfactory position and also that the cost of bulk power has increased £952, commented the chairman. He went on to say that the Board could congratulate itself on the fact that the gross sales for the year, when it concluded on March 31st next, would probably be over the £50,000 mark. He thought that the position at the end of tiny year would be very good and thart the Board’s way of making concessions to consumers would- prove to be a sound policy. On the chairman's motion, seconded by Mr. Keedwell, the report was received, Messrs Barber and Seifert commenting on the very satisfactory post- ! tion. Engineer’s Report. The engineer reported as follows, covering the period from December 16th, 1936, to January 20th, 1937: During the period 42 new service lines have been run, and seven existing single phase service lines have been changed to three-phase lines. Sixty-four poles have been carted out, fitted and erected, and 487 chains of wire run on l.t. circuits. Two additional street lamps have been erected and three extra transformers installed. The E.H.T. line to the Otaki Sanatorium, and the outdoor sub-station to supply this institution have been ’completed and placed into service, and the necessary alteration and extensions have been made to the L.T. distribution services. Extensions to L.T. lines have been made at Ivawatiri, Waikanae Beach, and L.T. lines on existing poles

have been extended at Foxton, Paraparaumu, and Te Iloro south. Heavier

wires have been run on Ivawiu Road West to supply increased loading. Some alterations to E.H.T. poles and lines

have been made at Wallace Road. During the period some hardwood poles came to hand and were unloaded and stacked.

Installs! lons. —During the period 3 9 applications have been received from new consumers and 20 extensions to existing installations, included in which are eight ranges, five waterheaters, one industrial, and one pumping motor. Forty-five new consumers, and 45 extensions have been connected, comprising 23 ranges, 14 water-heaters, three milking, and eight industrial motors, making an increase of 251.322 K.W.

General.—The peak load during the quarter ending 31st December was 2690 K.V.A. on the 18th November. The number of units purchased during the three-quarters of this year compared with the corresponding quarters last year show an increase of 13 per cent. I would ask for authority to purchase two 30 K.W. and one 200 K.W. transformers at an approximate cost of £275.

The chairman mentioned that there were 45 new consumers, while 45 exten-

sions had been connected. No comment, he said, was necessary. The report was received and authority given to purchase the new transformers.

Increase. Units. Amt. Domestic supply 28S,208 £ Domestic Water-heating 294 Commercial: Light and Iicat 03,49-4 n 7 o Watcrhcatiug 58 Power 132,341 920 Street Lighting 15 Total 484,043 2052 Less Discounts 269 Total £1783