HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD.

Shannon News, 26 January 1926, Page 3

HOROWHENUA POWER BOARD.

JANUARY MEETINGMessrs Brown, Barber, Kiisby, McKay, and Gunning .were present at the January meeting of the Horowkenua Power Roaru held last w’eck. under the chairmanship of Mr G. A. M)onk. The secretary, Mr .P. W. Goldsmith and the engineer, Mr J. A smith were also in attendance. ELECTRIC PORT EIGHT. The Foxton Harbour Board asked for a conference between die PowerBoard’s engineer and the Harbourmaster on the question of electrifying the new port light at Mamawatu Heads. The change from oil to electricity appeared in the Nautical Almanac for 1926 and it was imperative that the change be effected in order to avoid confusion. It was proposed to instal a light whtefh would be visible at 15 miles distant.—The matter is now receiving attention at the hands Qf the engineer at a cost of approximately £43. GENERAL.

The Government Statistician stated it wag proposed' to publish the individual figures relating to the various municipal trading concerns throughout the Dominion, and asked whether the Horowhenua Power Board would be- agreeable to such publication.—lt was resolved to intimate the Board’s assent in this connection. Accounts passed for payment totalled £BBB9 5s 6d. SPREADING THIE PEAK.

Mr Gunning asked, in connection with the Board’s peak load whether it would not’be possible for them to dispose of some electricity during the night, as if this were done they would be so much to the good and help the Board to pay for its “peak.” Some flaxmiilcrs, for instance, might find it would pay them to run a night shift. If the Board could not sell some of this power it meant they were paying for it without rec , ei\ ing any return. Other concerns, similarly plaoed, had adopted the scheme. The engineer informed Mr Gunning that already this was being done and a cheaper rate was given after nine o’clock. Mr McKay: How about the Horowhenua County Council, setting a good example by doing their crushing at night? . The Chairman: They intend doing so. Although the Board’s peak load ig being forced up, it is anticipated that our revenue also will increase. If we are using more units than they expected jvve are getting a batter power factor. The Engineer: lit means we have a certain peak, and instead of having it only for a few hours we have it for the.*24 hours.. PURCHASE OF BULK SUPPLIES Mr Barber asked whether it would pay the Board to call tenders for a 12-months Supply of benzine and motor supplies. Mr Gunning stated there was a movement to import benzine in bulk, and in all probability a few months hence they would see benzine, etc., a good deal cheaper in price. The chairman said it had been suggested that.the Board should instal a Bowser system, so that instead of getting their petroleum products in case lots it would come in tanks. The system would cost about £l3O, but that would soon be saved as the difference in price would be somewhere in the vicinity of 2s a case. The matter was. held over in the meantime. ( COST OF COLLECTION. Mr Kllsby drew attention to the 2.1 per cent, that was. being paid, to the Otuki Borough Council for the collection of lighting fees. Why, he asked, shouldn’t the consumer be given the 2f .per cent, rebate and have the meter-readers collect the accounts? ~ The Chairman pointed out that tne 2i per cent, was paid to the Borough Council for work -performed. Its officers had to leave their work to attend to the Power Board’s clients, and the Borough Council were bemg paid for the time taken on the Power Board’s business. If a rebate were given to the consumers it would mean the Board would have to adjust their tariffs to meet this discount. ~ , Mr McKay thought it would be a little too soon for such an. arrangement, and they should wait until the Board’s financial arrangements were firmly established. . Perhaps the time would come when they could make such a discount general throughout the whole district. Mr Kilstby thought they should not lose sight of the question and the consumer should be given, the benefit in the future. On the understanding thalt tne matter shall he kept in view, the discussion lapsed 1 . .