Hastings Electrical and Water Supply Proposals.

Hastings Standard, Volume XIII, Issue 4311, 15 November 1909, Page 4

Hastings Electrical and Water Supply Proposals.

The R'o-id Overseer, (Mr E. Hallett), returned to Hastings on Saturday evening after a tour through the west coast towns, extending over three weeks, for the purpose of gleaning information regarding their sewage, electric power and high pressure water supply schemes. Among the towns visited were Palrrerston North, Wanganui, Hawera, Eitbam, Stratford, and New Plymouth. PALMERSTON NORTH. In company with Mr Jickell, borough engineer, Mr Hallett visited the Palmerston septic tanks, which are in perfect working order. Covered concrete tanks treat the sewage conveyed to them through 40 miles of sewers. The borough area is 4,900 acres- with 62 miles of metalled roads and a population of 11,000 persons. Trouble was experienced a short time ago through one of the tanks being flooded by river flood water.but protective works have been carried out which will prevent a recurrence of damage of that nature. The proposal to establish an electrical tramway system in Palmerston does not, in the meantime, meet widi the approval of the Borough Engineer. After going carefully into the estimate of cost, he is convinced that the time is not yet at hand, when th_ installation should be undertaken. In his opinion three years hence, at least, would be quite soon enough. HAW ERA. This town was the one to which Mr Hailett paid most attention,principally on account of the recent installation of an' electrical light and power scheme. In commencing operations the electrical company had to face the obstacle of a privatelyowned gasworks. Further, many mistakes were, made during the initial stages, which necessitated considerable expenditure to remedy the defects. "However, the company managed to surmount their difficulties and are now reaping the reward of their enterprise. At the end of their financial year (March last) the income for light and power supplied was £293 per month. Since then their income increased by fully 50 per cent, and is now returning 5 per cent on capital invested. Mr Hallett was shown over several business places and farms where the light and power had been installed, one in particular, a dairy farm, being worthy of mention. Mr Lynn, a Hawera farmer, with many forebodings as to the result of his experiment, was induced to instal an electrical plant, at a cost of £IOO, for driving milking machines, chaffcutters and other farm appliances. The fact that he only pays £lB a year for lighting and power was sufficient to convince him that it was a well spent £IOO, and he says : " I would not be without the electric power for the world."' At Hawera, Mr Hallett was accompanied by Mr W. H. Climie, C.E., and Mr Trevethick, C.E, ancj electrical engineer to the Hawera Company's works. NEW PLYMOUTH. The electrical power and lighting scheme which is municipal!}' owned, has been a great success from the day of first switching on the power. The first year's cost of working showed a slight debit balance, the following year a credit and the third a profit of £ 1200. At present the works are worked to their utmost capacity (400 h.p.) and the addition of another turbine of 250 h.p. has been decided upon. The streets,iwhich are well lighted cost the council £55 per annum, or 2d per unit. The charge to consumers h6d per unit. The people of New Plymouth are loud in their praises of the electric light and power, and they state that it is much more economical than gas.

Mr Hallett will make an extensive report on the resultof his trip, and present it at a meeting of the council a few weeks hence.