TOWN BOARD MEETING

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 80, 29 July 1953, Page 1

TOWN BOARD MEETING

POWER CHARGES DISCUSSED The monthly meeting of the Taupo Town Board was held on Wednesday, July 15th, Mr J. E. Story, chairman, presiding over a full attendance of members. A letter from Mr L. Sharp enquired as to the possibility of a reduction in electric power charges for a number of appliances to be used in his business including an electric stove and oven, and a Dishmaster, which would be additional to a hotwater unit, griller, toasters, electric jug and lights already in use. Another letter from a ratepayer enquired as to the likelihood of a reduction in charge for power for electric soves. ! Mr Irvine said that he underwood that at presenf about half the capacity of the present temporary generator was being used, and asked whether it would not be good business to reduce the rates charged so that more current would be used. In a general discussion, the chairman pomted out that the present generator was a temporary one, never intended to provide a general supply of power, as distinct from light. At present the peak load was about half the plant's capacity, wih some 270 consumers connected, and it must be borne m mind that there were many more consumers awaiting connectioii. Ihe high rate for power was the only mehod of rationing the amount used for power. If the* rate for general power use were reduced there was no doubt that the present plant would be overloaded. Other members said it would not be fair to those awaiting connection to allow the plant to become overloaded now, which would mean that new consumers would find when they were connected that the supply was already overloaded. Summing up, the chairman said that he himself would °?ly t°° have the price slashed now, but that until the mam generator was producing current it was important not to overload the present plant by encouragmg general use for power purposes. Ihe Board decided to consult the engmeer, Mr Lloyd Mandeno, with regard o the possibilities of any immediate reductions in tariff for particular purposes. The chairman mentioned that Mr Mandeno had been waiting until three or four readings oi power consumption were available. so that they could be studied for the purpose of seeing what the possibiliUes were with regard to general tariff revision. Power for Wairakei A letter wss before the meeting Irom the General Manager, Tourist and Fublicity Depai*tment, referring xj £ 9^ electric power to the Hotel Wairakei, and asking* for a firm offer re same A report from Mr Mandeno, the Board's engineer, was read by the Town Clerk, ' In discussion, members said that it would be in the interests of the ratepayers to sell power to Wairakei, once the main generator was installed. It was decided that Mr Mandeno be instructed to ^cike an offer to the Department on the lmes suggested in his report. Tokaanu-Turangi Power A letter from the State Hydroelectric Department enquired as to fw views on a suggestion that the King Country Power Board snouid be authorised to supply electrm power to the Tokaanu-TuTang-i r distnct. Commenting on the letter. the chairman mentioned that. in the past, enquiries had been received irom the Tokaanu area as to future supply of current from the Taupo M that rePlies had been made that that area would be better Mv mY Ae Kmg Country Board. t j Mandeno s advice was that it would be in the best interests of the ratepayers to supply power outsiae the Town District in the restricted ai ea which was the Board's present supply area. This reached from Hamaria (Hallett's Bay) in the south to Wairakei m the north. But it would not, in view of high reticulation costs and experience of municipa? powei schemes elsewhere, be wise to supply further afield. It was decided to reply by stating that the Board had no objection to the King* Countrv ower Board supplying the district south of Hamaria.