A DRY OCTOBER

North Canterbury Gazette, Volume 7, Issue 59, 26 November 1937, Page 2

A DRY OCTOBER

INCREASE IN WATER A CONSUMPTION

Higher Electricity Output

REPORTS ON BOROUGH SERVICES

TO COUNCIL

Reports for the month’s working were submitted by the various departments to the Rangiora Borough Council at its meeting held on Wednesday night. The Waterworks Department, through Mr H. H. Matthews, reported that there had been an increase in the consumption for October, which was a particularly dry month, of 365,190 gallons (11.2 per cent.) compared with October last year. The average daily, consumption was 117,100 gallons.

Electrical Department

OUTPUT DOUBLED SINCE 1933

Reporting for the Electrical Department, Mr Matthews said that the units recorded for the month showed an increase of 26.7 per cent. The load had increased by 10 per cent, compared with October last year. The load factor had improved 36.4 per cent. In comparison with October, 1933, the output had increased by almost 100 per cent., and was continuing to increase at a rapid rate. The next month would probably record an increase of between 30 and 40 per cent. The record increase for the year was 35.9 per cent, recorded in April.

Units recorded at the sub-station for the month were 74,420, compared with 58,970 in October, 1936. “The high rate of increase of output recorded over the last two years is likely to be maintained for some time to come,” said Mr Matthews. “It is Very necessary that ample provision be made for estimated increases covering the next few years. “The Department is now receiving the benefit of the reconstruction work carried out during the last nine years. There still remain several miles of line to be rebuilt. This work will take two to three years to complete. Although the output is increasing at quite a high rate it will be many years before anything like the point of saturation is reached.”

Eleven of the new street lamps had been erected, and the work would be completed this month. One new connexion and five extensions were connected.

Better Coal Supplied

INCREASED GAS PER TON

Reporting for the Gas Department, Mr E. Ellis stated that there had been a decided improvement in the quality of the coal supplied, and this had resulted in an increased make of gas per ton. Forty tons 19 cwt. of coal was carbonised during the month, which produced 567,200 cubic feet of gas, an average of 13,851 cubic feet per ton. This was an improvement of 194 cubic feet per ton compared with last year.

Nine tons 10 cwt. of coke and 16J gallons of tar were sold during the month. Colie sales were keeping up well. One second-hand stove was connected, and several new stoves were on

order. When steam was raised in the boiler several of the tubes were found to be leaking. These have been expanded and the plant has been given a thorough trial and is now ready for use.

Plans to Value of £I3OO

WORK IN THE BOROUGH

Reporting on work done in the Bor s ough during the month, the foreman, Mr J. V. Rowland, stated that building plans to the value of £I3OO had been approved. Employees had scarified White Street north and formed a footpath on the east side. All excess material had been carted to the pit nearby. Shingle had been spread and graded. Other work had included grading and carting, channel cleaning, and grass mowing in several streets. Sodium had been spread on the roads and the footpaths and the drains had been cleaned. Tarring done in Charles Street with the pump and tank outfit proved a much quicker job after a few adjustments had been made. Carting and spreading sand would be the biggest trouble.

The baths had been cleaned and filled, and work was going on at the Ashley reserve on River Road. The water tank at the baths had been rusted through, so the water was now coming straight from the engine to the baths. The baths were badly in need of paint and a few repairs. Mr ,G. Hills resigned from the staff on the-11th of this month, and Mr G. Mclntosh has been taken on on three months’ trial. C. O’Neill, of the present staff, is taking the place of Mr Hills.

LIBRARY REPORT

Miss E. Purchas reported that a few new readers had brought the total up to 1051. A number of old books had been cancelled and were to be sold. Another 100 A.C.E. books had been placed on the shelves, in addition to a large number of new books. The books issued were as follows: — Fiction, 2565; non-fiction, 185; A.C.E. 77, juvenile 248; total 3075.