ELECTRIC POWER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1938, Page 8

ELECTRIC POWER

MEETING OF WAIRARAPA BOARD. SATISFACTORY PROGRESS SHOWN The chairman, Mr A. Campbell Pearce, presided at the monthly meeting of the Wairarapa Electric Power Board, held at Carterton today. Others present were: Messrs S. Dalgliesh, C. R. Holmes, M. B. Tait, H. P. Hugo, F. C. Daniell and J. W. Colquhoun. Messrs W. A. Tate and W. Howard Booth were granted leave of absence. The secretary-manager, Mr G. Brown, reported that the satisfactory progress so far made this financial year had been fully maintained during August. The increase in the number of units sold was very noticeable and the estimate had again been exceeded by an appreciable amount. The actual net revenue for August was £4787 13s 7d, which was a gain of £491 13s 7d on the estimate. The net revenue for the first five months of the financial year amounted to £23,874 3s lid, which was an increase of £1674 3s lid on the estimate. The number of units sold for domestic supply, excluding cooking, during the first five months of the year, showed an increase of £38,388. The net revenue from that source, however, showed a reduction of £1637 12s 7d. That was an indication of the effect of the new domestic rate. The average price per unit during August for ordinary domestic supply, excluding cooking and water heating, was 2.6 d compared with 4.1 d in August of last year. The results so far disclosed month by month clearly indicate that the new domestic rate was proving satisfactory in every way. In the majority of cases it had resulted in a considerable saving to the consumer. It had had 'he effect of encouraging the more generous use of electricity and although the cost of power would show a substantial increase the increase was within safe limits. The rate would, he thought, provide a sufficient margin of profu to make possible a further simplification of the rates. The position in connection with the trading department continued to be satisfactory. Since the last meeting the wiring staff had been increased and that would relieve the position considerably. The turnover for the first five months of the year totalled £8,933 3s 8d as compared with £7,949 14s 9d. The number of consumers was now 5,721, against 5,481 at the end of August last year. It was reported that the loan money for the Upper Rangitumau loan of £1,250 and the Miki Miki loan of £7OO had been obtained .locally. The necessary guarantee agreement providing for the extension of the board’s reticulation to Mr Birch’s at Taueru had been completed and it was expected that the work of erecting the line would be commenced within three weeks. The chairman stated that a meeting of settlers concerned with the proposed Westmere extension had been held. The settlers were enthusiastic and there should be no difficulty in securing the guarantees. "We have received the very welcome news,” remarked Mr Brown, “that 68 poles arrived last week and a further 80 yesterday. This will enable us to complete the various extensions which have been arranged for.” It was stated that no further action had yet been taken by the Public Works Department regarding the gazetting of the Castlepoint County as part of the board’s outer area. The engineer, Mr H. B. Keenan, reported that the construction of the Rangitumau extension had been completed. All the low tension lines had been livened and premises already wired were receiving a supply. The Upper Wangaehu extension was livened on August 29. A start had been made with the Miki Miki extension and all the poles available had been erected. The monthly load statistics showed a very substantial growth in the demands for power in all classes of load. With a monthly load factor of 70 per cent and an increase of 24 per cent in units supplied, the position was very sound. Accounts amounting to £6279 19s 5d were passed.