HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

Shannon News, 22 March 1929, Page 2

HYDRO-ELECTRICITY.

MEETING OF HOROWHENUA The monthly meeting of the Horowlicnua Electric Power Board was held in the Municipal Chambers, Levrn, on Tuesday, there being present: Messrs G. A. Monk (chairman), W. E. Barber, T. G. Vincent, E. R. Bryant, E. S. Morse, C. Blenkhorn, and A- J. Pptherick, Mr P. W. Goldsmith (secretary) and treasurer) and .Mr J. A. Smith v(engineei),. Leave of absence ■ was 'granted to Mr A. Seifert. LOAN MONEY.

Messrs Chas. B. Buxton, Wellington, forwarded particulars relating to the raising of loans, which they were'prepared to negotiate on the barls of 53 per cent, interest, 1 per cent, sinking fund, if for 363 years, and 1 per cent, procuration fee. The Secretary seated that the finance referred to was of Australian origin. . The letter was received. CHARGES AGAINST LAND.

From the Waitemata. Power Board was received a legal opinion obtained by them in reference to the statutory provision far a charge on land for the cost of installations. The secretary explained that the Act passed in 1928, entitled the Statutory Land Charges Registration Act, provided for the making of statutory gages consented to the installation bether these charges had priority over the mortgages existing at the time of the installation if the owner and the mortgages consented to the installation becoming a charge on the land. The solicitors who, framed 'he opinion for the Waitemata Rdard v were inclined to the view f by implication that the Legislature intended that such a statutory charge should take priority overtire mortgages, where it did not exceed £3O, and that it- should also do so when it did exceed that amount if the owner and mortgagees consented. Un/til a decision was pronounced by . a competent Court, however, the question might be open to doubt. It would be advisable for Boards to get undertakings from the owners and mortgagees. The letter was received, the .secretary stating that he had written and "thanked the Waitemata Board for having forwarded a copy of the opinion. LIGHTING OF RAILWAY STATIONS

Mr H. J. Wliynne, signal and elec trical engineer, N.Z.R., wrote asking if the Board were in a position to review the charges for lighting the station at Paekakariki.

The Secretary reported that he had replied to the effect that-, as soon as the financial position of the Board on March 31st was ascertained, the matter off charges to railway' Stations would be considered. . Any reduction made would count from the commencement of the financial yeasr. On the motion of the chairman, the secretary’s action was confirmed.. CHARGES FOR OFFICE HEATING. , Mr G. D. Hamilton wrote suggesting a more equitable system,of charges for current supplied to offices. ■ He stated that during the summer months no light was generally used, while the heating supply during that period was probably only used for the ■ boiling of kettles. He submitted two specimens of summer accounts sent- out by the Board, one dated January 7th being for £1 for eight units and the other, dated March 2nd, beiijg for £1 for five units. He suggested that a flat rate off £6 per annum be charged to offices, to be payable yearly in advance; that the meters be read annually; and that any current used in excess of the minimum be charged additionally to the flat rate and within t’Jre days of grace allowed for payment of the account. The secretary said it would appear as though the Board were charging a high rate for only a few units, but it was mot as profitable as it looked, because the radiators were in use for some months in the year when they cost the Board a good deal of money. The- chairman, after referring to the concessions rhat had been made in the matter of meter rents, moved that the letter be referred to the Board for consideration after the end of the financial year. The motion was seconded by Mr Barber, and carried.

TREASURER ts REPORT. The following report was presented t by the Treasurer:—, . Accounts. —The accounts for payment and for confirmation for this meeting are more irodect than is usually .the case, owing to the dual cause that there is no inteiect on the sheets this time and that the quarterly Mangabao electricity bill will not put in an appearance until next month. In the ac ; counts for confirmation the principal amounts aie for wages, salaries and benzine; the total is £628 4s Id. On the pay sheet for the day, cix months’ rent of offices and caretaking is the largest item; copper cable, meters, elements, pumps, range and motor make the remaining principal items. The total on the sheet for the day is £369 3s lid.

'Cash Receipts for February.—The money taken during February amounted to £2952 ss, the electricity shaie of this sum being 5s 4d. The lat-

ter is a fair return for the month, and brings the each receipts for electricity up to £36,300. The following table will show the details of the cash receipts:—‘ Apr. 1928Feb. Feb. 1929 Electricity £2,561 £36,300 Penalties 17 285 Installations and charges ' 276 6,158 Consumers’ deposits .. 15 130 Interest on installations 26 , 371" Cottage rents & sundries 55 836

£2,952 £44,081 (Shillings and pence omitted). Meter Reading.—With a view to lessen the working expenses of the business Avhich the Board carrier on, a readjustment of redding meters throughout the district has been arranged to take place as from the commencement of the next financial year.' The change will involve dispensing with the services of one of our meter-readers. By this rearrangement one meter-reader will be to read the whole of the

district with 1 the exception of the borough of Otaki, which occupied four days every second month. It is anticipated that this portion of the work can be done by some other member of the present staff, preferably by the resident inspector, provided the, engineer can spare his time for this particular purpose. In bringing about this new arrangement it will be necessary to make in some portion of the district one shorter period of reading than the usual term of two months. After one such irregularity, 'however, normal readings at regular bi-monthly periods will follow. The change, as already stated, involves , that the services of our second meter-reader will no longer be required; hence Mr G-. C. Nuthall ■ will leave the Board's service. Mr Nuthall, who has filled this, position for over two years, has faithfully and satisfactorily carried out his duties. A meter-reader comes in close touch with the Board's consumers, and when few if any complaints reach the office it is a tribute to the meter-reader's ability and courtesy. I am sure Mr Nuthall will have the best wishes of the Board and its officers for his future success.

Current Quarterly Period.—The end of the mouth will bring to a close the present quarter and also the curreitt' financial year. Judging by the peak load for some weeks past, there is a prospect of a very substantial account from Mangahao when, the 31st of March is reached. ' On the other hand, if the units have' beer, used,, there .should be revenue .in sight to meetthi3 expenditure. Mr Barber asked what was the cause of the peak load. • The Engineer replied that this was due to ■•natural increase and to the flaxmills. It was very little above what it was in the corresponding month of last year, but the units had increased, corresponding to the peak, and the yevenue was being secured. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr the report was adopted. . . ... EXCHANGE. OE DEBENTURES'

With regard to .the proposed exchange of debentures with the Central Power Board, Hamilton, thereby raising, a loan of £SOOO for the Horowhenua Board, Mr Goldsmith reported that the Central Board bad decided to cancel their present, debentures of 5f per cent., and had. applied for the necessary permission to issue debentures at. per cent, in order to carry out the - transaction they proposed. Mr Goldsmith added that he; had prepared the necessary resolutions for the 'borrowing of the £5000; and would put them before the next meeting.. > . V.V a\- \ r ' v'<-■