ELECTRIC POWER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 June 1943, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER

MEETING OF WAIRARAPA BOARD INCREASE IN CONSUMERS. WATER HEATER SWITCHES. (“Times-Age” Special.) At a meeting of the Wairarapa Electric Power Board held at Carterton today the Secretary-Manager, Mr G. Brown, said the revenue last month, £5706, showed a decrease of £602 on last May but the difference was due to an alteration in the meter reading. The number of consumers was 6372 against 6332 a year ago. Mr Brown stated that the time switches controlling the water heaters had all been altered in accordance with the resolution passed at the last meeting of the board. They should notice a definite alteration in the next weekly statement received of units supplied by the Public Works Department. Up to the time of the alteration, they were still showing an increase in excess of that allowed by the Department. The ' position disclosed by the examination of the time switches was not satisfactory and steps would have to be taken to provide for more frequent insppections. A small number of the time switches had stopped and the consumers were obtaining 24 hours’ service. In a fairly large number of cases the clocks were either fast or slow to such an extent that the load was coming on peak. Full details were taken of all switches and a summary was being prepared setting out the position. The Chief Engineer, Mr H. B. Keenan submitted a detailed report on the engineering activities-of the board. Arrangements had been made for the carrying out of the board’s instructions regarding a reduction in water heating hours and the Lighting Control Order. Good progress was being made with the strengthening of the surge tower at the headworks. The upper and lower power 'stations had generated an increase of 51 per cent in units.