HYDRO-ELECTRICITY

Otaki Mail, 7 August 1922, Page 3

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY

ENGINEER’S REPORT. A Large Undertaking. In company with tlie Chairman and Members of the Board, I have examined the more important routes of transmission and distribution lines in the County and Boroughs comprising the Board’s district, and generally speaking, I am of opinion that the area is well situated for the distribution of electrical energy on account of being as it is, richly endowed with town and country ■ population. The load on the electrical system will be built up between centres chiefly from dairying and llaxmilling industries whilst various industrial concerns and dwellings requiring power and ■ lighting installations will be connected in the towns. In order to bring the ever increasing demand for electric power and light within the reach of these mills, farms, factories and dwellings, very heavy responsibilities in matters of finance, organisation of staff, and engineering is entrusted with the Board, but I have no doubt that each member will rccog- . nise, to the full measure, these responsibilities. and for my part. 1 realise from experience, that tlie ultimate success of such a large undertaking will rest on the amount of economy and efficiency exercised therein, from commencement to completion. The Loan Proposal. As instructed by the Board at its last meeting, I have made an estimate of the amount of loan money required, ' the same being set forth in the accom- , pairying schedule. , From these figures you will observe that the total sum is approximately £2(30,(100, which could be uplifted say at the rate of not more than £75.000 i per annum for a period of three years. , Whilst lam confident of having made < adequate provision covering the cost i of the job and’ probable extensions thereto, it is difficult to say how much should be uplifted during the third vear of operation, as requirements will depend upon the amount absorbed of the allocations for service lines and loans to assist consumers in the cost of their installations which is rather a 1 doubtful quantity. . 1 After a careful consideration I would * recommend that an authority be sought 1 from the ratepayers (o raise a loan of £2(30,000, and in asking for this consent at the poll, it can be made clear that only actual requirements will be ! uplifted to complete the scheme. General. j Questions of policy, staff organisations, and details of engineering will be dealt with at a later date. Before concluding I would like io express my thanks for the very able assistance rendered by the Chairman am! Members of the Board, the County Engineer (Mr Anderson), and not forgetting yonrself, whilst going through the district in order to obtain the information necessary for this report. This estimate of £2(30,000 lias been liberally made up, as it is prudent to obtain ample authority in order to avoid repeating loan polls, which has been the expensive experience of many electric-power boards in New Zealand. Schedule of Estimated Loan Required. £ 1. Extra high, high and low tension lines 140,000 2. Transformers and sub-station equipment 1-3,000 3. Street light, fittings, etc ... 3,000 4. Instruments and tools 1.000 5. Transport and pole carting equipment 3.500 0. Alterations to existing telegraph lines 3. 1 50 7. Land, buildings and employees residences 7,000 3. Allocation for consumers serI vige lines 10,000 I 0. Allocation for financial (assist: ! anec tQ consumers ..... 20,000 I 10. Preliminary expenses an(j of: | fice equipment 1,750 il. Contingencies 10,000 i j £217,000 I 12. Interest at 6 per cent, and sinking fund 1 per cent, first year of each portion of loan 15,000 Interest and sinking ftind on same 1,050 £16,050 Interest on say £150,000 during second year ........... 10.300 >' Interest and sinking fund on • same "35 11,235 i £27,255 ' 13. Cost of raising loan outride N.Z. at 5-per cent. .... 12,123 £256,125 —T. B. OVERTON, Engineer. r For Influenza, take e Woods' Great Peppermint. Cur?.—4flvt.