ELECTRICAL SCHEME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13649, 17 January 1908, Page 6

ELECTRICAL SCHEME.

THE ENGINEER'S REPORT.

REQUEST FOR A STAFF.

CITY COUNCILLORS AT VARIANCE.

A long discussion regarding the City Council's electrical light and power installation, which it is proposed to inaugurate early next month, took place at last night's meeting, when the Electrical Committee submitted a report on the subject from the electrical engineer (Mr. Wyllie). Mr. Wyllie in his report on the plant states that the two generators were small, and the boiler power, including that of the destructor, was only enough to drive one of them; that the additional boiler sanctioned had been ordered by telegram, and should bo now on its way out; that the destructor boiler would contribute very little to the ultimate demand; the generators about to be installed by the Wellington Corporation were each of them seven, times at» big as the Auckland ones, and the ultimate demand in Auckland would undoubtedly be as large as that, of Wellington; the chimney was only big.enough for a small (station. Hp proposed only to engage just as many men as were necessary for x start, and add to their number later, as required, and he proposed to shut down entirely and run off the battery for one shift, and thus save the wages of a shift. The additional men required at once wore:—Engine and boiler j foreman and fitter, at £4 per week; J greaser and cleaner, £3; (stoker for night ! shift, £3 j switchboard man and electri- | cian, £3. He proposed that these men be engaged at once, so as to become familiar with their duties before starting the station, and that it would be necessary for these men to work on Sundays and holidays, they have a, fortnight's holiday with full pay each year. A jointer and mainsman would also be required, and one labourer at least. One office clerk was wanted at 'once, who should be a shorthand •writer and capable of keeping books, etc., at a salary at the rate of £1.50 per year. An additional clerk would also be required shortly who would also act as meter, reader, salary £80 per year. A number of oilier recommendations in regard to routine details were also made. The committee reported that the electrical engineer had stated that one feeder was ready, a second was up, and a third was. ordered, and would arrive shortly; that the feeders were sufficient for the connections already made, and he hoped to have the three in operation before the demand exceeded the supply; and that the boiler power was sufficient for one gene- | rator, of which nearly half cam© from the ! d true tor. An additional boiler was en route. The committee recommended that ! the engineer's proposals in regard to staff be agreed to, and that the date for the current to be turned on be Monday, February 10. Mr. L. J. Baguall moved that the leJport of the committee bo adopted. EXPENSES MOUNTING UP. Mr. A. J. Entrican said that the matter should be discussed by the whole Council in committee. The report proposed a further increase in the staff, and that should be carefully considered. Hardly a meeting passed without some request being received for on increase in the Council's staff, and they had some time ago been asked to approve of the appointment of an assistant electrical engineer as a temporary appointment; but it now turned out that it was proposed that this should be a permanent one. Other instances of increases in tho staff had occurred. All this meant an increashad occurred. Dr. Stopford seconded the amendment. ill'. Bagnall said that the recommendations had been made by the committee after very careful consideration. The appointments proposed by the committee were only temporary ones, and the addiI tional assistance would be necessary if they were going to inaugurate the scheme on February 10, They »could not expect the engineer and his assistant to run the whole business.

Mr. 0. Knight said that the whole question should be thoroughly discussed. It seemed that their electrical engineer had come too late. The comparisons between the Wellington and. Auckland plants made it apparent that everything was not as satisfactory as it should be. If the thing was a failure the sooner they knew it the better.

Mr. R. Tudehope said that they could not discuss the master satisfactorily unless the electrical engineer was present-.

DENIAL OF EXTRAVAGANCE.

The Mayor (Mr. A. M. Myers) said that the report of the committee had been drawn up only after very careful con-_. sideration. He took strong exception to the statement that had been made to the effect that the Council was increasing wages and going in for extravagance. He would challenge any .councillor present to point to a single instance of extravagance Affairs were being conducted very efficiently. Their business was growing, and it was necessary to attract the best class of men in different departments. He referred to the treasurer's department as a case in point, the arrears of rates being under 30s. As to the report in question, they were starting a new department, and. they could not expect the engineer and one assistant to do all the work. He felt perfectly satisfied that the scheme was going to be a huge success. He would move that the Council resolve itself into committee forthwith to consider the report. ' It was pointed out that the report should not be discussed in the absence of the electrical engineer, and the Mayor withdrew his amendment. THE ENGINEER'S POSITION. Mr. W. E. Hutchison said that as it was proposed to inaugurate the. installation early next month it was necessary that the engineer should get his staff together. The committee's recommendations appeared ■ tobe very reasonable. \ Mr. H. M. Smeeton said that .it was unreasonable to expect an engineer to startthe works successfully unless lie had power to engage the necessary staff. Mr. M. Casey thought that some of the men not at present fully engaged might be utilised iu connection with the electrical, scheme. Mr. C. D. Grey thought- that the recommendations of tho committee should be agreed to, especially as the proposed appointments were only temporary ones. Mr. Knight considered the whole question should be gone into exhaustively. Mr. J. Court said they could not expect | the engineer to carry on the scheme with- [ out assistance. He was sorry that the Council had not I}ad the services of Mr. Wyllie 12 months sooner, as it would have saved the Council a great deal of expense. Mr. Parr 6 aid that there was no doubt that the electrical scheme was going to be a good paying business. A QUESTION OP TASTE. Mr. Entrican moved that the report be ' considered at a special meeting of the Couuj cil in committee. Mr. Bagnall commented upon the action of Mr. Entrican, as a member of the committee, in moving an amendment to the report-. Mr. Entrican said that he had been absent from Auckland, and had not be<*ii present at 'he meeting of the committee. Mr. Bagnall: It is not good taste, all the same. Mr. Entricau's amendment was lost by seven to six. Mr. Parr then moved, as a further amendment, "That a special meeting of tho Council be held in committee next Thursday evening to consider the report, and that in the meantime the engineer be authorised to make the necessary temporary appointments in connection with the initiation of the scheme." Mr. Bagnall: I will not be able to be present, and I shall call for a division. Dr. Stopford: I will take your place. Mr. Bagnall: This is not mere child's play. Mr. Parr's amendment was carried by 10 , to three.