PATEA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 10 January 1930, Page 9

PATEA.

BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

WORK OF THE MONTH

The usual monthly meeting of the Ratea Borougn council was held on Monday mgiu, the Mayor (Mr I l ’. Kams bottom) presiding. Councillors A. X. Christensen, F. _\aismith, C. R. Honeyfteld, G. Pettigrew, X’. Scott and 0. H. Carey were also present. it was decided to hold the necessary meeting on January 20 to decide on the statutory half-holiday. POWER SUPPLY.

Tire electrical engineer reported as follows : : —Power stations : Since my last report the hydro plant has been completely overhauled; the work took longer than was anticipated owing to the great amount of wear shown on some of the inside parts. The dome which holds the guide blades in position that had to be welded three years ago again showed excessive wear necessitating the fitting of a steel band electrically welded in position. The end of the shaft was badly scored; this had to he taken into town and the worn part turned up in the lathe. A thick coating of corrosion was deposited on the guide blades, which greatly reduced the efficiency of the plant. This deposit had to be dripped off. A complete set- of new turbine bearings were fitted; the alternator coils were cleaned and varnished. The governor and "coupling belts were also renewed. After the alternator had been dried and connected one load, every part ran very smoothly. I would suggest that a new dome part and set of turbine bearings be procured from the makers. The units generated by both plants were 28,610. The Diesel plant ran continuously for 70 hours during the hydro overhaul. i Lines. —Owing to the increased load the transformer at the Kakaramea Factory is now overloaded, and at times during the factory peak load the secondary voltage is much below the standard. To improve this, another transformer will have to he installed. Not having a suitable one in stock, it will I>e vorv necessary to purchase one without delay, the cost being approximately £3O. '

House Wiring.—Two household refrigerators and two small stoves have been installed: extensions to three of the existing installations have been carried out. Several meters have been tested and installed. Owing to the recent holidays I have been unable to complete my report re the cost of changing to the standard voltage, hut will endeavour to have same completed before next- meeting.

Water Department. —Approximately 1.842,01)0 gallons were pumped. Water connections have been made to the new Plunk-et building and Domain. A supply of water’ for the cemetery has been taken from the tank in Mr Wills’ paddock, the supply tan being fitted by the main entrance gate. The report was adopted, including peimission to procure another transformer.

Councillor Carey complimented the engineer on the good job made of the memorial in the Triangle. A suggestion was made that posts and chains be a. fitting finish, enclosing a tarred circle round the memorial. —It. was .left in the hands, of Councillor Carey and the engineer to discuss and present a design for finishing the work. Tn connection with the suggested formation of a power hoard, refein-iiig to which the chief engineer had advised that the district should endeavour to arrange with the Taranaki board for supplies, it was resolved that the amount of kilowatts used in-tlie whole district should bo- ascertained, and that the matter be further discussed at the next special meeting.