BOROUGH COUNCIL.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 6300, 29 September 1915, Page 6

BOROUGH COUNCIL.

(Continued from P»*gc 4.)

darj' of the Bortugh and ss far west as Turret Road. Ibis enables every applicant (to date) for current lo receive a supply. The lines in the southwestern area, however, cannot be completed until further supplies of insulators come to hand. The contract j for insulators was let to Messrs A. and T. Hurt as far back as Juno, j < 191-1. They inform us that the main \ \ shipment went astray and in consequence they havo only been able to forward a portion of the order. To make up the deficiency we have had to procure supplies from other firms, but at a much higher ratv. At the present time insulators are almost unprocurable at any price. We think that Messrs A, and T. Curt should hear, if not the whole, at least a portion of the additional expense to which the Council has been put owing to their failure to completa the contract. , btreet Lights.--The accompanying plan also shows the position of the street lights. There still remains a few lamps, whose position h2s *hot been fixed. We seek instructions from the Consulting Committee regarding them.

Public Works Inspection.—-Mr Millar, the Department's inspector, expressed his approval of the various portions of the work and those distribution liiiea that were completed at the date of his visit. We have been unable, owing simply to want of tirr.e, to comply with the license in several minor details. These matter.-, so far as they lie within our province, have been attended to, and we now await the t'crmal permission of the Department to use the lines.

Plant. — For several weeks the turbines have been run almost continuously to generate current for testing purposes. The generating .sets as regards their maximum output and consumption of water more than comply with the specification and ihe contractor's guarantees. The transformers owing to the absorption of moisture during transit have given some tr;u ble and cne in the substation broke down when the working pressure W3S first applied. This mishap delayed for some wu-ks the completion of the instal'ation. The transformers sinea then have been well dried cut and ara working now under normal conditions. The contractor?, however, wish to continue tho df.vin^out process before subjecting the transformers to twice tho working pressure, one of the specified test?, and until they pass this test we cannot advise the Council to take over the plant. The Council, however, by the contract conditions, have the right to make benc-liciai uss of tho plant at the contractor's risk if they refuse cr are unabh to complete the tests!. As one unit only will be required to meet Ihe demand for some time, in the event of a breakdown the other unit can be tin own into service and continuity of

operation is assured. We would therefore advise the Council to commence the public supply of electricity as soon as the Minister of Public Works forwards his formal con&ent. % Cr Casting asked; Should the electric wires from the. distributing wires to the house bo covered? Mr Climie said the wirrs were covered for a length of seven feet from the building, which was in compliance with the terms of the license. The Mayor: How many street lamps are provided? Mr Climie : Sixty. " i Cr Whiting contended that a street light should be installed inthe vicinity i of the workmen's cottages. A memorandum was read from Hen. W. H. Ilerries, thanking the Mayer' for telegram regarding the turning on of the electric light, but stated he will not be able to leave Wellington | until the session Is over, which may be a fortnight or three weeks hence. He will be only too pleased to come ttyen if that will suit. j Cr Green moved —That the current | be turctd on 23 soon zz permission j is received from the Publij Works i Department. j Cr Badger seconded. In doing so lie , said they could have the oificial. opening later, but the current should be turned or. as soon as possible. The Mayor said he took it that the Council desired an opening as scon as possible, but a celebration at. a date to be fixed that would suit Mr Herries. Cr Green's motion was carried, Cr Badger proposed--That it be an instruction to the engineer to install a light in Eleventh Avenue in the vicinity of the Judea cutting.--Seconded by Cr Day and carried. Cr Whiting- asked: Was the question of lights to come before the Consulting Committee. The Mayor.replied in the alnrmative. Cr Whiting again urged that a light should be located near tha workmen's cottages and also at the butter factory. Mv Climie, in reply tea question, said that where street lighting wires were not erected switches would have to be provided for street lights unless the lights were to be allowed to continue day and night. Cr Badger* moved —That the Consulting Committee and the engineer

consider the matter of installing extra j street lights and report to the next } meeting of the Council. — Seconded by j Cr Pemberton ar;d carried. ! Mr Mandeno, in reply to a question, said he had interviewed Mr Hannah in regard to the iistallaiion of electric li^ht in the public building?. Telephone Pole.'. Cr Whiting said complaint had t>eon j made regarding the 10-ation of tele-j {shone poles opposite Hili;uiene. Mr Climie said the poles were twelve foe-t from tl.e boundary line j_ f the property, in compliance with the | Council's instructions. The Mayor said if the role* \vt=re moved the willow trees would have |to come down* Several Councillors contended that the hedge should be trimmed and the j ilitrh filled up so that the poles should j be left in their present position. Cr Kaclger urged that the question of trimming the hedge should be referred to the surveyor. Cr Tanner said the filling was nearly up to the top cf the heige. it would be better to move the poles. The Mayor: If you move the poles you wiil sacrifice the trees. Cr Cay iroved—That the matter be | referred to the Works Ccmmittec to ! report upon.—Seconded by Cr Green j and carried. Consulting Committee. The Mayor reported that owing to his iniiiffosilion a meeting of the Consulting CurnmiUee hnd not been held, but a meeting would be held immediately, when the application of the Te Puke Town Board for the hire of the road roller would be considered. A Water Charge. The Finance Committee recommended that an extension of time be allowed that Committee to report in regard to the charge of ten shillings per year for water closets. —This was agreed to.