ELECTRIC LIGHT

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 43, 19 August 1918, Page 7

ELECTRIC LIGHT

DEMAND FOR NEW CONNECTIONS

The applications received by the City Council -for new connections with the municipal electric lighting station are still numerous, and, owing to the shortage of materials, considerable difficulty is being experienced in meeting the demands. In the first place, there is the problem of generating sufficient power. In a statement made to a Post reporter to-day, the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), on behalf of the City Corporation, expressed gratification at the fact that the council's order limiting the use of heaters had been so well heeded. The effect was very noticeable during the busy hours between 4 and 7, and the fact that the heaters were not alight greatly lessened the strain on the power supply. "An electric heater simply eats the power," stated Mr. Luke. "For instance, a heater of the size tjjat I have in my own room at the Town Hall— which, by the way, I am, not using—consumes when the four globes are alight sufficient power to supply ten ordinary cottages. When a large number of heaters was cut off you will readily realise what a difference it made. It is for these reasons that tha council is not installing any more 'heaters for the present." s

Mr. Luke answered a. complaint which is current to the effect that tho council is showing- favouritism in making new connections. Cases a.re recorded where some applicants have been waiting for months, and are still waiting, whereas others have had ■connections made at very short notice. According to Mr. Luke, tljere have been instances of that sort, but they have been unavoidable. The position is that the council is unable to secure a. fresh shipment of transformers. In some areas the transformers are carrying their full load, and the addition o£ even one more connection would tend to ciuise a break-down. People _in such areas must, therefore, wait until more transformers come to hand. Then, again, there are some transformers not carrying their full capacity, which means that the department is able to make now connections in those areas. '"If we did. not make new connections where possible and without impairing- the efficiency we would lie throwing a.way revenue, and that would not bs a wise policy." - «