Power

Just another of those things we take for granted. When we have plenty, we never notice it - when there's a shortage, it becomes a public issue, a matter for hot debate.

But, shortage or no shortage, hydro-electric power has to be controlled. For the Gisborne district, this duty is performed at the Power Board's station in Carnarvon Street.

Pictured above is the main control room, through which all the main circuits of the Poverty Bay Electric Power Board's area are handled. In the foreground are the diesel generators which once supplied the district with power, but now are used only in a supplementary role at times of peak load.

By way of contrast, the picture at right shows the Cook Hospital Board's emergency diesel generator, which supplies the hospital with power, during power cuts.

×

 

• 

×

 

• 

A closer look at the switchboards in the Carnarvon Street station, indicates the mass of metering and switchgear which is utilised to control the thousands of units of power which flow through Gisborne circuits.

Behind these panels are the complex mass of wires, solenoids and relays, which automatically switch domestic water-heating circuits in and out as required.

×

 

• 

Some of the newer equipment, incorporating relay switchgear, which is steadily replacing the older equipment in the powerhouse.

×

 

• 

This section of the panel includes automatic consumption reading mechanisms at left, rhythmatic control gear at right.

As well as the machinery of the main control room, the station is surrounded with the staff and equipment essential to its running.

×

 

• 

Station Superintendent W. R. Neilson.

×

 

• 

A prominent mark on the Childers Road, Carnarvon Street vicinity skyline, is this 60ft high structure, which has caused many a resident to enquire as to its function. For those who don't know, here's the story: It's a cooling tower for the water jackets of the diesel generators - a sort of gigantic car radiator.

×

 

• 

In a yard adjacent to the powerhouse, hundreds of poles are stacked at the ready for the day when they will be required to clutter up the city skyline.

And here are some of the many men at the power board's Carnarvon Street station who "keep the place ticking".

×

 

• 

Garry Carr at work in the transformer room. Here, transformers are repaired and checked.

×

 

• 

Harry Hudson is employed cutting power pole crossbars and making all the board's ladders.

×

 

• 

Doug Greaves works on a power board truck.

×

 

• 

Bruce Douglas checks over a high tension insulator.

×

 

• 

Boy Te Puni on machine shop lathe.