THE POWER PLANT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 27, 1 February 1912, Page 8

THE POWER PLANT.

STILL RUNNING. The tramway power-house is not entirely silent to-day, although the stokers and greasers have gone out with other members of the Tramway Union. Several of the boilers are banked, but steam is blowing off at safety valves, and pressure is kept up sufficient to drive one 300 kilowatt generating plant, which is found sufficient to keep a supply of current going for the power curcuit, where k is used by factories and for various purposes in other concerns, such as electric lifts, and for heating. There ia one attendant in charge of the furnaces, which are. mechanically stoked. Arrangements have been made by the engineer in charge of the tramwa-y powerhouse to work his small staff on shifts. It may be mentioned that the water supply of all the high levels depends on current from the tramway circuit. If it fails the people in Kelburne, Brooklyn, Upper Melrose, Roseneath, Wadestown, J ,pnd Hataitai will go short of water. It is understood, however, that the present running plant is sufficient to keep the electro-turbine high-lift pumps at work and ensure the usual supjply .of water. There has' been no alteration in the position at the electric light station) and the city is in no 'danger of darkness. HOW MUCH COAL? The question of coal is a very serious one with the City Council, as coal ia the prime source of the energy that drives the care and lights our streets, and most of our houses. Th»> interval" between tho warning of yesterday morning and the actual blow' in the afternoon was well used, and hundreds of tons of coal were dumped into the power station yards during the interim. The quantities of coal, both in the tramway power house and the electric light station, are now sufficient to stand a siege of at least a couple of weeks at present consumption. , The hulk Coromandel, owned by the State Coal Department, containing supplies of coal for the City Corporation's power house, was brought up»to the wharf last night, the intention being to deliver supplies to-day. The waterside workers, however, obviously acting under instructions from the Strike Executive, declined to work the coal. This is the first active step taken by an outside union to assist the tramway men in securing the recognition of their demand. Enquiries in official quarters show that other unions are ready and determined to, act similarly where labour's interest is involved . WHAT THE UNION IS LOSING. According to Mr. G. Petersen, the Tramways accountant, the union is los- : ng fortnightly by the strike no less a sum than £2500. This is the approximate pay roll of the men who are out on strike. OUTSIDE AID FOR STRIKERS? STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF ■ CHRISTCHURCH UNION. fit* TBLEORAPH— PBESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, 31st .Jan. The secretary of the Christchurch i Tramways Union (Mr. J. Young) states | that there is no foundation for the statement that the union here will give £200 to assist the Wellington men. The matter has not so far been considered by the local union, but it will no doubt bo discussed at a meeting which is to be held on Friday next. ATTITUDE OF AUCKLAND MEN ____ NOT LIKELY TO COME OUT IN SYMPATHY. AUCKLAND, 31st January. The secretary of the Auckland Tramways Union (Mr. Rosser) states that the focal tramway men are not likely to come out in sympathy with the Wellington men unless the Federation of Labour takes the Wellington men's affairs in, hand, and acts for them.