ELECTRIC POWER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 March 1940, Page 7

ELECTRIC POWER

MEETING OF WAIRARAPA BOARD SATISFACTORY FINANCIAL POSITION. I PROPOSALS FOR SCHOOL HEATING. (“Times-Age” Special.) Those present at today's meeting of the Wairarapa Power Board were the chairman, Mr A. Campbell Pearce and Messrs F. T. Daniell. H. P. Hugo. W. Howard Booth, J. C. Holmes. W. A. Tate and M. B. Tait. Accounts totalling £7737 were passed. The Secretary-Manager, Mr Geo. Brown. submitted his report for the past month as follows: "The satisfactory increase in revenue which has been gained month by month during the year was maintained in February and the estimated revenue was exceeded by a useful amount. The position is as follows: Estimated revenue for February 1940. £4865; actual revenue, £5167 15s 4d. Gain on estimate £302 15s 4d. For the first eleven months of the financial vear there was a gain on the estimate of £3171. Showroom sales and repairs showed a considerable increase in February, compared with the same month last year, the total for the eleven months of the year exceeding last year’s total for the equivalent period. As anticipated the turnover in the installation department was less than that of last year. In view of lhe existing circumstances the position was to be considered satisfactory. Difficulty was being experienced in obtaining certain lines for the house wiring department, and in some cases the board had to take. What could be secured. , The board was strictly limited in its choice oi most of the showroom appliances, and was not able to procure some. That would have an effect on the turnove? during the coming financial year, and would cause inconvenience to all consumers. The quality of the lines offering was not up to the standard cf the past, which was likely to cause dissatisfaction.

Twenty consumers were connected to the system during the month, the total number being 6043 to date. During February the connected load was increased by 422 k.w. and included 328 light points, 177 heat points, 29 ranges, 33 water heaters, and 37 motors. The capital expenditure for the first eleven months of the financial year amounted to £12,879 13s lOd. The monthly return of income and expenditure indicated that the profit for the year would not be less than the estimate given in last month's report. Mr Brown also reported on a meeting held at Kopuaranga early this month, at which a large number ot settlers were present. The board was represented by Messrs A. Campbell learce (chairman), J. W. Colquhoun. F C Daniell and Mr Brown. The settlers indicated that they wished the board to oroceed with the lines indicated in a comprehensive report discussed at. the last meeting of the board. , In the course of’ a comprehensive i eport covering the engineering activities for the past month the chief engineer, Mr H. B. Keenan, stated. In the northern area a total of 15 service connections were erected during the month. The progress with the work of erecting the duplicate teedei to Masterton has been held U P through lack of materials. We have now been definitely promised delivery of poles and other switching equipment by the middle of April. Tha meant working 12 weeks behind schedule. A start had been made foi the conversion and change-over oi gas water heaters to electric, lhe concrete standards and lighting bad been erected and the stree. fighting service placed in service at the State Housing block on February 22. Two short interruptions of a few minutes occurred during stormy weatnei in the Kaituna and Wangaehu districts on February 18 and 2a. In the central area 9 service connectionwere erected during the month, while in the southern area a similai nun ber were made. In the latter area there had been substantial progress with maintenance work. “A specification, including calculat ed heat losses, has been prepared foi school heating,” reported the engi - eei "A specific illustration has bee made of the Featherston Dismct HiJ School. This specification has been circulated amongst the leading(hewing equipment manufacture! world for submission of tendeis. Th idea behind this is to get the lates developments which are offering com mercially, for thermal storage heat Z with the object of preparing basic scheme for night loading, an that the principle involved may e applicable generally. The tenders clos> statistics 2’liad development in th. Sheri area, the time has now arrived when we should consider he se cond point of supply to be instal e by the Government at MoroaA . . report in this connection w ill be su mitted al an early date. “During February, westcriy o aics ■ considerable force continued almos constantly throughout themontt). A though the whote system ha S bei Brained we have had no leal exien rive trouble. Most interruptions wer confined to consumers’ services. Th Ze attended to immediately with out any prolonged interruption to an. the month, the inspection department carried out a tola of 24inspections. It was proposed to ta ry cut the annual overhaul and pipe nf leaning oi the Lower Power Station from April 15 to 19 inclusive. A te. wading for a period of ten months the board had received the inslll, ''°’ bushing for the outdoor Kiosk switc controlling the Admiral Ko i-.rau The insulators had been limited and lhe swlleh placed in »». mal operation.-