POWER SUB-STATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 March 1939, Page 6

POWER SUB-STATION

CONTROL BY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT DECISION OF WAIRARAPA BOARD. “NOTHING BEHIND IT.” (“Times-Age" Special.) At the February meeting of the Wairarapa Electric Power Board . a brief report was submitted in which was set out a copy of a letter received from the Public Works Department suggesting that they take oyer the responsibility for the control of the board’s existing switchgear at the Waingawa sub-station, and for the providing of any additional switchgear which may be required at that substation or at the proposed second point of supply at Moroa when that.station is required. There was also set out in the report a copy of a series of questions which were submitted to Mr F. T. Kissell, Electrical Engineer, Public Works Department, in connection with the proposal. 'At yesterday’s meeting of the board the Secretary-Manager (Mi’ G. Brown) said there appeared to be no reason why the board should not agree to the proposed new arrangement.' It must be appreciated, however, that as a result they would be handing over a measure of control of what was the heart of any supply authority’s system. “On the other hand,” he added, “a similar arrangement has been in operation with some boards for a number of years, and has worked out quite satisfactorily. In discussing the matter with Mr Kissell, it was evident that he was anxious that- there should be the closest co-operation between the department and the board regarding the matter, and that the board and the consumers should in no way suffer as a result of any change made. There will be certain substantial sayings to the board, amounting to about £571 ss.

“Mr Kissell considered that the department would be quite prepared to take over the house and section owned by the board. These have cost the board £1133 ss. The matter of price has not yet been discussed with the department. “The board’s equipment in the substation is now approximately 15 years old. Under the new arrangement, the cost of replacing this system when necessary, due to .either accident, depreciation or obsolescence, will be the responsibility of the department, and our depreciation account will be relieved accordingly. The sub-station has been used as a clearing station for consumers’ complaints after working hours, and the arrangement has worked very well indeed. In providing for an alternative, certain additional expenditure will have to be incurred. “Proposals similar to the one made to this board have been submitted to all Power Boards, and as far as I can find out, the general opinion of both the boards and the Power Boards’ Association as a whole, is that they are satisfactory and acceptable.” Mr H. P. Hugo: “The change will not make much difference to the board?”

Mr Brown: “Mr Kissel made it quite clear that the Department did not wish to make conditions any worse, and possibly would make them better” Mr Hugo: “What is behind this?” Mr Brown: “I do not think there is anything behind it. I believe that in some districts the department has had trouble with certain boards over the efficient maintenance of equipment. The department will now be in a position to see that everything is in order. The department is taking control throughout New Zealand.” Mr F. C. Daniell: “I think that is quite logical.” The chairman, Mr A. C. Pearce: “Undoubtedly they should have control.”

It was decided to agree to the Department taking over the responsibility for the control of the switch gear.