TOWN SERVICES

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume 5, Issue 61, 26 June 1936, Page 7

TOWN SERVICES

Departmental Activities Reviewed FOUR SUBSCRIBERS LEAVE LIBRARY 'file resignation of four paying subscribers from the library was reported by Miss F. Jennings to Rangiora Borough Council on Monday night. Departmental activities during May Here reviewed in the following reports: LIBRARY Miss F. Jennings reported: file number of subscribers is 221. Three joined during the month and four ceased to subscribe in view of the library being made free. Subscriptions amounting to £7/16/have been paid in, leaving only one due at the end of May. ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT Mr H. H. Matthews reported: One new connexion and three extensions have been made, increasing the total connected load by 2.986 k.w. Units recorded at the Borough substation for the month ending May 31 were 66.100. The output shows a decrease' of 2.64 per cent, as compared with the corresponding month of last year. .The reduction, is due to a drop in power consumption. All the active heaters during the winter months have been changed over to pilot wire control. Pilot wire control of commercial radiators has been run in both the business areas of High Street and Victoria Streets. Several consumers have already taken advantage of the low rate offered for radiators. Tb is interesting to note that Rangiora is the only supply authority in Now Zealand to supply power for radiators under pilot wire control. The rate for this service is also the lowest

offered in. the Dominion. * In order ■to bring under the consumers’ notice the low rates offering for water heating, commercial radiators, and domestic supply, I would strongly recommend for consideration the spending of sav £25 per year on advertising. The Department is now in a position greatly to extend its activities in every phase of the undertaking. We have the goods and should tell our consumers of their merits and advantages. Waterworks Department Mr Matthews gave the following statistics : Gallons pumped, 2,728>380 (2,850,580 in 1935); daily average consumption 88,010 (95,020) * maximum consumption for 24 hours 109,220 (101,230); depth of water in well lift. 4in. (12ft. Sin.) ; rise in level, nil (Ift. lin.) ; fall in level Ift. (4in.); highest level 12ft. oin. (lift. Sin.); lowest level, lift. 4in. (lift. 2in.) ; units c-on-'sumed, 2458 (2568). In his estimates for the year Mr Matthews stated that it would be necessary to replace the half-ton truck. The truck was now about 14 years old, and was getting more costly every year to maintain. The estimated cost of a new truck suitable to the Department’s requirements was -£245. OUTSIDE WORK Air J. Rowland reported: Patching has been done on several streets, and footpaths with bitumuls, and with shingle on outer roads. The footpaths at the north end of Ayers Street have been sealed with Bitumuls. The actual spraying was about half a day’s work with a borrowed pump. A demonstration was given with a flame thrower for weeds. I think it would ho effective in some of the badly cracked channels and keeping down excessive growth in open, drains, etc., when the moisture is not so dense on the ground. Two of the staff are still on the sick list, and one casual is at present employed. Would like something done as regards staff, as changing with casuals means a lot of my time in teaching. FI even survey boxes have been fixed by surveyors, and these are l>eing patched. They are sinking and will have to he refilled.