ELECTRIC POWER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 July 1943, Page 3

ELECTRIC POWER

MEETING OF WAIRARAPA BOARD TIME SWITCH CONTROLS. MANY FOUND UNSTABLE. The revenue for June. £Bl2O, was satisfactory, reported the secretarymanager, Mr George Brown, at today’s meeting of the Wairarapa Electric Power Board. The position in connection with bulk supply and cost of power was satisfactory. During June, the connected load was increased by 123 kilowatts and included 38 light points, 30 heat points, 2 ranges, 4 water heaters and 7 motors. The number of consumers was now 6,372, as compared with 6,335 twelve months ago. An investigation of time switches controlling water-heaters revealed the following information, reported Mr Brown: Time switches reasonably correct. 1,413; unstable, 417; stopped, 124; disconnected in hospitals on meter, etc., 393; consumers away, 34; total 2,381. Practically all the stopped time switches had been replaced. Arrangements had been made for a much stricter check to be made on all time switches.

In a report on the board’s engineering activities in June, the chief engineer. Mr H. B. Keenan, stated that the change over from 3000 volts to 11,000 volts reticulation in the west side of Masterton had been completed, except for the dismantling of the old lines. An interruption was caused to the supply to Swamp Road. Matarawa. and the north end of Kuratawhiti Road. Greytown, on June 25, as the result of someone throwing a piece of bale wire over 11,000 volt lines in Hawke Street. The interruption occurred at 4.50 p.m. and the cause was located and the lines livened at 9.30 p.m. The board had to reduce a further 3? per cent on its monthly averages to fully comply with the. Government's request for a reduction in power. With the steps already taken, a reduction would be seen month by month, so that about August the board should reach the zero line.