NELSON SUCCESS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18152, 15 August 1924, Page 9

NELSON SUCCESS.

LIGHTING SCHEME PAYS IN FIRST YEAR. (special to "the rac-is.'} NELSON, August 14. Although in the past municipal enterprises have been undertaken ia Nelson with results not altogether satisfactory to the ratepayers, no one can cavil at the latest municipal venture —electric light installing. Fortunately, with the wisdom born of experience, the scheme was left entirely to the engineers appointed to carry it out, and the results to date must be considered most gratifying. Within nine months of the current being turned on the scheme is a paying proposition. This result has excedeed the most sanguine expectations. In his report in 1922, Mr Toogood, the Council engineer, stated that the first year's results could not be forecasted, and the Council must be prepared to pay from capital account the whole of the capital charges, allowing working costs only. Owing to rapid development, however, after 257 days the stage referred to was passed, leaving a gross profit of nearly £IOOO over working costs, and a net loss of only £567, including interest, and since May last the scheme has shown a profit oyer all charges, in spite of the assumption of the engineer that it was not expected to show a profit until after the third year. The number of consumers' applications is now approaching the 950 mark, compared with the estimate that it would take two years before 800 consumers would be connected. In a statement to a "Mail" representative on the matter, the Mayor (Mr W. Lock) said that the balance-sheet prepared by the responsible officers, and the report of the electrical engineer, should be regarded as highly satisfactory, and revealed an amount,of progress much beyond the anticipation of the Council and its consulting engineers. The success accomplished was due in a great measure to the efforts of tho Council, to the good management of tho works, and to the consumers for so quickly recognising tho advantages of installation. It was now practically certain that the Council would be able either to remit the Gfd rate at present charged for payment of interest and sinking fund, or to reduce the pricj of the current to consumers.

Tomato Growers Take Power. "I do not know of any other steamgenerating plant in the Dominion which has paid within a year," remarked Mr C. A. Henderson (chief electrical engineer), "but I have know of many which have taken from three to five years." Gratifying use was being made of the current for industrial purposes, he said, and so far sixty motors were running in different industries. He had had enquiries from market farmers as to installing plants for pumping purposes. Tomato growers were to be encouraged to take the current, because they would want the power from 5 to 8, when there would be very few other consumers on the main. Three growers had already made installations, and a number of others were making enquiries. In reply to questions, Mr Henderson said that up to the present satisfactory arrangements had been made for coal supplies. There had been no interruptions in the supply except those due to trees blowing over and damaging the wires. Arrangements had been tnrule for every consumer* applying for the "current to be connected. Not ono had been turned down in any part of the city. So far the Council had taken no active steps to" canvass householders to connect up, aa applications had been coming iu so freely that this waß not necessary. However, this had not been lost sight of.