SUPPLY OF POWER

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20957, 9 November 1939, Page 3

SUPPLY OF POWER

THAMES VALLEY AREA GROWING EXPENDITURE SYSTEM OF CONTROL NEEDED (Special to Time*) TE AROHA, Wednesday Mr Joseph Price presided at the monthly meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board, Messrs F. E. Barrett, J. McCormick, F. E. Flatt, J. Pohlen, H. L. Boughton, W. C. Kennedy, P. R. Hawke, J. F. Mayn, and H. R. Bush, the manager, Mr R. Sprague, and the assistant-engineer, Mr G. Lindsay, also being present. Leave of absence was granted to Mr J. M. Allen, M.P. Correspondence was read from the warden, Thames, in regard to the extension of the line at Thames Coast, | stating he knew of no reason from a j mining point of view why permission ! should not be given for the extension, provided that existing and future grants for mining purposes would not be affected. The Public Works Department wrote acknowledging the receipt of the history of negotiations which have been going on for the past three years with the Waikato Central Board in connection with the extension of the line at Buckland Road, Cambridge. Applications Granted The organiser for national security wrote in regard to permits to construct new and extension lines, ap- ! proving the following:—Kauerenga ( Valley, four miles, £1500; Kereone, 65 chains, £140; Walton, 15 chains, £3B; Waihi Plains-Pukerewa Road, £450. The Public Works Department, Paeroa, in the matter of the erection of a power line on the Pipiroa-Coro-mandel Main Highway, stated the department had in hand the matter of widening the thoroughfare, and would suggest that in the event of the power poles having to be shifted in the next three years the cost to be borne by the board, and after that oy the board and department in equal proportions. Correspondence was received from the Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Company Limited, stating that the transformers on order for the board would be shipped from England by the Tekoa very shortly. Report and Financial Statement The manager submitted the report I and financial statement for the halfyear ended September 30, showing revenue £87,799 11s 4d, expenditure £97,637 19s Bd, a debit of £9838 Is 4d. The revenue for the term last year was £75,425 14s 9d, against £87,419 7s 9d for this year, an increase of £11,993 13s. A most improved position was the increase shown in milking and farm motors. Nothwithstanding ‘ the revenue for the past year increasing to the extent of £12,600, the expenditure increases exceeded £13,000. The report stated that it would be advisable for the board to adopt a system of scheduling of maintenance, replacements, etc., at the beginning of each year, and the expenditure should be kept within the schedule. At the present time there was no definite system operating as affecting maintenance and replacements, and owing to the general conditions now functioning, it was essential for the board to live within its income. There should be no difficulty in arranging this system, but as the figures showed, unless the increases in expenditure were controlled in some definite way, the board’s position would not be as stable as it should be.

The actual position of the board was that the net result had gone back for the half-year to the extent of approximately £IOOO. As the bulk of maintenance and replacements had already been done, some increases for the balance of the year v/ere not expected. The increase in power purchases for the half-year amounted to £5883, which was a ratio of only two to one. It was not expected the ratio would be any lower for the balance of the year, but a decided improvement was expected. Loan of £IO,OOO Quite a satisfactory demand from investors had been received to date for the £IO,OOO loan, the amount applied for being £4IOO. It was pleasing to note that the whole of the subscriptions so far had been taken up by consumers in the board’s district. The total number of consumers connected to the board’s mains was 11,941. Fifty-two consumers had additional lighting and heating connections made during the month. Engineer’s Report The engineer, Mr N. S. McLeod, reported that the testing of all “earths” in accordance with the'requirements of the regulations was proceeding. The demand for installations was still brisk up to the end of the month. Applications had been made to,the electricity controller for authority to construct on 12 different sections. Of these, seven were for service lines exceeding the authorised limit. There was reason to believe that the other extensions and service lines, involving supply to milking and farm water supply propositions, would receive favourable consideration. Special Finance Committee The report of the special finance committee was adopted as follows: That a detailed report for the year, as affecting administration and maintenance costs, be brought down by the executive, and that the matter be considered by the finance committee at its next meeting. That leave of absence be granted to Mr N. S. McLeod, engineer, for one month. That the tender of Mr Curtis be accepted for alterations to the Matamata depot. That the tenders for alterations to the Paeroa depot be referred back to the tenderers for a schedule of prices against their tenders. That a transformer be purchased for the Te Aroha borough at a cost of £7ll 15s, delivery to be given not earlier than May, 1940. That the chairman, deputy-chair-man, and Mr H. M. Corbett, together with the manager as secretary, be appointed commissioners for the board’s sinking fund.