HEATHCOTE COUNTY COUNCIL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15022, 17 July 1914, Page 9

HEATHCOTE COUNTY COUNCIL.

ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER. SCHEME.

Tho Heathcote Cciratv Council, at a recont meeting, authorised tho members for the Cashmere riding (Colonel. Itich-anl-on and Mr Mulcock) to prepare . statement regarding tho electric light and power scheme now being cafriod out. " That statement, which was supplied .by Colonel Richardson to a "Press" repre_s___ttive ye*t-erday, sets out that "tlie Council is installing an electrical lighting scheme with power generated by a 6ueti_n gas plant, used at present lor pumping water for the - Cashmere Hills. The engine is a 45 horse-power, and tho present surplus'is being used to generate the electricity. ■ "The scheme originally was incepted with the view of street-lighting (tho power for which is at present obtained from the Tramway Board) and for driving the motor lor pumping water to tho upper reservoir. By increasing tho size of the generator it was found possible to supply the ratepayers and resident, with -i cheap light while the pumping plant is in ii3e. This would only be for a few hours, but if sufficient support i- givou to the scheme, _ay, fifty connexions how, with an immediate prosr. ct of increased number of users, the Council intends at once to instal storage batteries, so that tho power could bo available for the -21 hours. The rato to bo charged at present is a flat rate, and it is hoped whoa tho scheme is fully develo. cd to considerably reduc- the scale, as the Council is not out for a profit, but rather to give the consumers the benefit of tho very lowest rate. "The Council has fired the nra-ent rate as fo.ows: —50 cnndl e-po wpp lamps, os 4d per quarter;. 32 can die-power, 3s 2d; 2f> candle-power, 2s_od.; 10 candlepower, Is 6d; with a liberal scale of discounts. . -•'The Council is finding tho necessary poles to. connect the main, to tho houses, but the consumers must fi .d the wire. This scheme, when completed, will cortainly be ib<» cheapest in tho Dominion. "No*with .t.-_di .£ the .nr_.. tv>wer beinnr used for th.3 electri Jty there will be a considers be reduction to the present users of the water."