PROGRESSIVE TAURANGA.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 6504, 4 October 1915, Page 6

PROGRESSIVE TAURANGA.

HYDROELECTRIC INSTAL-

LAHON.

Lights Switched on in Streets by

Ex-Mayor.

In spite of the rain on Saturday evening there was a large gathering of the public at the electricity substation, Wharf Street West, at seven o'clock for the purpose of witnessing the ceremony of switching on the electric light. Amongst those present were Hisx Worship the Mayor. Mr C. E. Macmillan, Councillors Castaincr, Green, Wbitirg, Messr3 Shearman (town clerk), Mr H. R. Climie, B.Sc., A.M.1.C.E., A.M.I.E.E. (junior member of ths frrm of Messrs Climie and Son), Mr B. C. Robbins (President of the Chamber of Commerce), Mr J. C. Adams (Chamber of Commerce), ar.d many other prominent citizens. A number of ladies were also included in the gathering.

The Mayor said that on sccount of the rain he had decided that the speeches in connection with the ceremony would be delivered from the balcony of the Star Hotel. He referred to. the prominent part taken by Mr B: C. Kobbins, ex-Mayor, in connection with the electricity scheme and said but for his efforts Tauranga would still be without an electric light service. He, therefore, had great pleasure in calling upon Mr Robbins to turn on the electric light.— (Applause).

Mr Kobbins, in response to the Mayor's invitation, dexterously handled three of the switches in the subgtation and set the numerous street lights throughout the Borough in operation, amidst ringing cheers from the assemblage.

Wending their way up the slippery road from the sub-station the gathering moved off to the triangle opposite the Star Hotel, Hundreds of others were astir in the streets to show their interest and appreciation in the latest enterprise of the Municipality, and in less than ten minutes a crowd of many hundreds were congregated in the vicinity of "The Star."

A great burst of cheering greeted the Mayor as he stepped on to the eastern balcony.of the hotel. Mr Macmillan/said the function was in no sense a celebration in connection with the introduction of the electricity service into Tauranga. The Council intended to hold a bigger function, and had invited the Parliamentary representative and members of outside local bodies to be present. The Council, however, had decidad, as they were embarking on a commercial enterprise, that as soon as everything was in order, in compliance with the requirements of the Public Works Department, that the electric light should be turned on and utilised. Accordingly he had asked Mr Robbins to perform that ceremuny, a^ it was through the strenuous effort 3 of Mr Kobbins that electric light aid power had been installed jn Tauranga.— (Cheers). The late Council had alao given valuable assistance, and they now had a very good scheme. The Council had made the reticulation as complete as possible and with very little extra expenditure considerably more energy could be generated at the beadworks. When they had Mr Herries, and he hoped other Farliamentaries, with them, they would have, a gala day, which would include a visit to the headworks, find the public were invited to take part in those festivities. He could assure them that the Council did not intend to hide its light under a bushel. Mr Macmillan then called on Mr Robbins to say a few wcrds.

The sponsor of the scheme, Mr Robbins, was received with great' acclamation as hp came forward. He regarded it as a graceful act and a compliment to him that the Mayor and Council had asked him to turn on the light that night and he desired to thank them. The Mayor bad said it was due to his (the speaker's) energy that the electric light had been installed, but honour to' whom honour was due was a right and proper thing. When the municipal improvement schemes were mooted the first person to suggest the establishment of electric light for the borough was Cr Castaing. He (Mr Robbins) flid not view the proposal with particular favour at that" time. He was not sure that it wouli baa linancial success, but after procuring information regarding electric light in other towns he decided to place the question before the ratepayers. Up to a fortnight before the date of the poll he would not have given sixpence for the chance of carrying the loan, but the information that was forthcoming was convincing Jand the poll was carried by a majority of nearly thiee to one. The original scheme only provided for reticulating the Borough from Brown Street to Fourth Avenue, but the whole Borough from the Spit to the southern boundary, and even beyond, was now reticulated.

Mr Robbins continuing congratulated Mr Climie on the success he had made of the scheme. "* A large number of people considered that the estimates had been exceeded but they had only

been exceeded \n cm instance, ard that was in the tunnelling work. Mr Climie, in making his estimate for the tunnelling:, based it on the cost for such work in other parts of New Zealand, which ran from Us to 16s per yard, and he blaced his estimate 1 on the higher, figures. The rock, however, at Omanawa resisted blasting to

a marvellous, extent, and the estimates were exceeded for that particular work. The late Council had also decided to increase the utility of the head works, which could now develop '900 h:rse power. They were getting to the fullest extent full value for the money expendtd and he was prepared to make a prophecy that the electricity department will prove < Tie of ihe finest paying propositioi s in the municipality. They were making a good start with the scheme and already twenty-seven [houses anil shops were connected with the system. Many other towns had m3de a commencement with from one to twelve customers. One factory had already installed the electric power, and the owner was more than pleased—he waa proud of the results. Messrs Sanioid. Ltd., proprietors of the Fishcuring Works, had also entered into a contract for the purchase of a large; irotor for their works. He was absolutely positive and confident that ■ if the electricity department were worked on commercial line?, with due regard to economy, that in the course of twelve months or two years there would be a very handsome revenue from it. The result 3 in the streets they could see for themselves, ar.d he had come to the conclusion that it was a wise thing that Cr Castaing had conceived the idea of .electric light for Tauranga. — (Cheers). Mr Robbins thanked the Mayor and Council for their invitation to turn on the light and expressed a hops that the works would go on and on exactly in the same ratio aa he was confident that our town would increase in prosperity. He then called for three cheers for "Our Electric Light Works," which were heartily and lustily given by the crowd. Cr Castaing was called upon for a few words. Hejjthanked Mr Robbins for the tribute paiH to his inspiration said he always regarded the electric light scheme as a sound proposition for Tauranga. He strongly upheld the policy of improving the town, so that it should retain its position as the capital of the Bay of Plenty. He concluded by wishing the electric light scheme good luck. —(Applaus?).

The Mayor thanked the public for their attendance, and the gathering then di?persed, the general opinion being that tha new enterprise was one that would make for the progress c± the town in a marked degree.

The credit for the successful in atallatinn of the scheme belongs'to Mr H. K. Climie, B.Sc, A.M.1.C.E., A.M.1.E.E., who has carried cut the duties assigned to him in a very skilful manner. Tha intake supply tunnel, penstock pipes, tail race and transmission [lines are capable of ('eveloping 900 horse power—sufficient for a population of ten thousand people. The Borough Council has received over one hundred applications from customers to date, and these include Eeveral for power. The present scheme provides for sixty street lights, fortyfive of which were in operation on Saturday night, and in addition, the light was burning in a largi number of houses, hotel?, and shops. The street lights run from 120 to 450candlc power, so it will be.seen that henceforth the streets [of Tauranga will be as well illuminated as any in the Dominion.