POWER BOARD WORKS.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 44, 21 August 1924, Page 3

POWER BOARD WORKS.

IN THAMES VALLEY. Reports of Progress. Reports of the progress of works in the Thames Valley Electric Power Board’s area during the past month were submitted to Tuesday’s meeting of the board by the manager (Mr. R. Sprague) and the engineers (Messrs. Gauvain and McLeod). MANAGER’S REPORT. On July 21 the chairman (Mr. F. H. Cl ax ton), Mr. F. M. Strange, the engineer and the writer went to Rotorua to interview Mr. Goudie, of the State Forest Department, with regard to treatment of poles, and also to arrange for a supply of New Zea-land-grown timbers for experimental purposes. There is a detailed statement from Mr. Goudie with regard to. classes of trees farmers should grow to be used at a later date for power board poles. It is now a matter of cost whether treatment of poles will be a cheaper proposition than replacing any defective poles. It is anticipated that during the present season a very large industrial load will be added to the board’s mains, arrangements now having been made for supply to Te Aroha West factory, Matamata factory and Paeroa factory, through the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd. It was necessary for the chairman, engineer and manager to interview Mr. Coates in Wellington with regard to the necessary power required by the board in order to supply consumers in Pate tonga and Wardville districts.

A letter from the Minister makes it quite clear that the loading of 2,500 k.w. is the quantity of power now allocated to the board. The Order-in-Council authorising the board’s loan of £150,000 was gazetted on July 31. It will be necessary to pass a resolution making a special rate of id in the £ as security of this loan. The annual conference of the Power Boards’ Association was held in Wellington on the sth inst., this board being represented by the chairman and the manager. In all there were 43 remits submitted and with very few exceptions all were agreed to and adopted. The remits submitted by this board were:—(l) Reduction of minimum charge to nonconsumers recommending that same be reduced from 20s to ss. (2) With regard to inspection of insect-infested timber to New Zealand. Both these remits were adopted. There was one remit which was discussed by this board at the July meeting, namely, trees obstructing lines, and it was recommended that the board cut down all trees likely to prove dangerous to their lines, and also any overhanging branches, at the expense of the" owners. This remit was considered very necessaryConsumers. —Thirty-eight new consumers were connected during the month, and this now makes a total of 4229, which includes the boroughs of Te Aroha and Thames. There are 936 motors installed on farms, of which 842 are 2-h.p. milking motors. I would like to point out that several farmers have mentioned the fact that the cost of milking electricically compares more than favouraably, than when milking with petrol engines.

The revenue for the quarter ended June 30 for sales of electricity amounted to £13,839 Is Bd, made up as follows:—Flat rate consumers, including lighting, heating and power, £8602 10s; town on meter, including street lighting, £3456 12s; town bulk supply, £889; factories bulk supply, £B9O 19s 8d; total, £13,839 Is Bd. ENGINEERS’ REPORT.

Pole erection on the main 11,000 volt line has been completed almost to Waitakaruru. The rest of the poling, including Maukora canal road, will be preceeded with when the next shipment arrives. Waihi: The lines authorised in Waihi have been laid out and the plans completed. All past and telegraph and railway crossings have been arranged with the authorities concerned. Morrinsville district: The 3300 volt branch line from Kuranui road to the main Motumaoho road had been completed and a 10 M.V.A transformer installed near Mellows. The section was made alive on August 4. The construction gang have now been moved to the Mangateparu back road,, where work is in progress. Waitoa: The 11,000 volt line down No. 1 road to the corner of No. 2 road, and along No. 2 road to the comer of Eastport road has been completed. A 100 K.V.A, 11,000/3300 volt transformer has been installed at the corner of Nos. 1 and 2 roads; this will supply the lower Waitoa area and give relief to the Bowler’s road section. At the corner of No. 2 road and Eastport road a 100 K.V.A., 11,000/415 volt transformer has been installed to deal chiefly with the de-

mand from the sawmill on Eastport road. Scherer’s road and Peria road branch, Waharoa: About two miles of poling have been completed on this section and part of the 11,000 volt wiring also. It is intended to make this stretch alive as soon as possible. Hutchinson’s road: The second section of nearly 3 mile of 3300 volt line is practically completed and should be made alive very shortly. Hiuera-Te Poi section: Provision for 11,000 volt supply to Te Poi factory has almost been completed. The changeover will take place when the new tranefromers come to hand. Matamata-Gordon: The low tension has been extended approximately one and a-half miles on the main 11,000 vole pole line to supply further consumers. High tension telephones: A telephone hut is now in commission at Hopkin’s corner, being connected to the board’s own direct system. General: The necessary earth testing is being carried out, and maintenance work generally is receiving attention.