MUNICIPAL WORKS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 170, 6 April 1923, Page 6

MUNICIPAL WORKS

A REVIEW BY THE MAYOR THE EVANS BAY POWER HOUSE

AND THE MANGAHAO CHANGE-OVER ’ >

A spirited championship of the policy of the, City Council and of its works accomplish- < ed and in prospect was mado by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright) at a luncheon given by the Te Aro Advancement Association yes- • terday.

Mr. A. A. George, president of the association, introduced Air. Wright as a man with’ the courage of fiis convictions, whose work had been to the undoubted benefit of the community. Mr. George janiiouncfed that Mr. Wright had the association’s backing in his candidature lor the Mayoralty.

His M orslnp said that ail complaints seemed to come to the Mayor, who had, in the popular opinion, merely to press a button to acuieve anything he desired. It was only right to say, however, that most complaints in regard to the milk Supply had come from residents who were some distance from the main thoroughfares. The position during the last term had been a trying one, not only lor the City Council, but for all business concerns. The council’s expenditures had to cover a vast field of activities, yettho revenue from all sources was only £1,000,000. Tho evolution of a permanent policy was the most important outcome of a strenuous period, rendered more difficult by legislation conipelling the council to keep within its revenues. Bigid pruning of tho estimates, however, had enabled the council to establish a working basis. 'Hio council had come out satisfactorily from a period fraught with sinister possibilities. Tine permanent laying down of main thoroughfares was necessary. So far there could be no complaints of the bitumen roads already done. Mi ■ Wright referred to other roads that required permanent surfacing, including the Hutt Road. He mentioned the acquisition of plant that would more than pay its cost in money saved.

Turning to tho tramways, Mr. Wright said that the Wallace Street extension was assured. He had seen tine plans for the work, which would provide an alternative arterial route via John Street and Riddiford Street. The- money was there,' there were no difficulties in any way, and the work would give great relief to the tramwav system, though more cars would have to bo nut on, and accommodation for them provided. The increased lineage to Island" Bay would be of great assistance to residents. There had been a great deal of adverse criticism of the Evans Bay power-house, but it would presently be one of the most valuable assets of the city. The saving in coal would be wonderful. The plant in the- old power-house was so antiquated that replacement parts could n-|; bo bought; they had to be s“»ad.o. Within twelve months the station would be ready for work, and by taking the Mangaha-o current direct (if it were then available) during the slack time, and using its own plant during the peak loads, the City Council would find the new power-house a money-saver, and something that, would produce revenue if it were used, as tho Government intimated, as a stand-by plant. The allocation -of the cost <f the change-over to the 200-volt system was next deal with by His Worship, who said that ho did not believe it would be nearly so great as had been foretold. by critics of the council. In all houses where installations bad been well put in, no change in wiring would be found necessary, and the average cost of changing switches, radiators, and globes, in the houses would not probably bo more than £5. Although no decrease in the price of lighting was likely for some time, the money thus obtained would help to pay. the council’s expenses in the change-over, but in any case-consumers were paying only pre-war prices for lighting. When the new system was installed it would be the equal of any in the Empire, a magnificent system, capable of supplying Wellington’s future population of 250,000.