LIGHTING PROBLEM AT THE HOSPITAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7292, 23 November 1910, Page 1

LIGHTING PROBLEM AT THE HOSPITAL

GAS v. ELECTRICITY BOARD FAVOURS RENEWING GAS COMPANY’S CONTRACT. CITY COUNCILLORS’ OPPOSITION. Tho relative merits of gas and electric light were discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, when the adoption of the following recommendation of tho finance and property committee was moved by tho chairman (Mr K. C. Kirk): — That tli© report of tho special committee set up to consider the question of the lighting of tho hospital be adopted, and that tnc (las Company he offered a renewal of the contract, now expiring, for a further term of five years, upon tho conditions as sot forth hi the report. THE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. Tho report referred to, which was circulated [a> members, stated that — Tho committee was directed to bring down a report upon the present methods of lighting the hospital and the future requirements of tho institution in that direction in view of tho expiration of tho Gas Company's seven years' contract. The question had been before a committee of the old Hospital Trustees and certain investigations had been made and information obtained before tho present committee took up tho wont. With a view' to considering the advisability of renewing the contract, information had been sought as to the relative cost of lighting by gas and electricity.

A very full report was obtained as to the cost of lighting the institution and the branch buildings connected therewith.

(a) By providing our own steam plant for gcrtorafcmg electricity during the whole period of lighting (b) Generating electricity during the heavier lighting hours, and switching over to the Corporation mains for the balance of the night. (c) By taking electricity from the Corporation mains. A consideration of these reports leaves the committee in no doubt whatever that, having in view tho expense of the installation of fresh lighting plant, it would he cheaper to continue lighting under tho present gas contract. The Gas Company has made an offer that in the event of the renewal of t’ contract for a further term being entered into tho board should have tho option at any time of installing gas engines for the purpose of generating electric current for lighting and other purposes, such engines to bo fed from the city gas mains. / consideration of this offer, and the favourable conditions under which the company had offered to renew the present contract, brought the committee to a unanimous decision to recommend tho renewal of the Gas -Oomnany's contract. Since the . committee had concluded, itr .deliberations. . but : . before presenting if 4 report, the Government's cheap electrical energy -scheme had been brought-into definite* share, and it would therefore 'be a matter for the board to deride whetherthis latest development would render ’ to reconsider the question of renewal of the contract for such a long term as seven years. THE TERMS.

Shortly the terms of tho company's offer were—1. Term, seven years. 2. Price to remain at 4g 7d per 1000 ft net. 3. Maintenance of the gas appliances throughout the institution, including proposed now electric gas lighters, to bo done by the company for the sum of £SO per annum. . ,

4. If during tho term of seven years any general redaction is made in the charge for gas to the public a reduction from the rate of 4s 7d per 1000 ft will ho made to the hoard to the extent of 25 per cent, of the amount of general reduction. The mains and appliances in the institution required general overhaul and bringing up to date, a report to this effect having been made by the company’s engineer. The committee recommended that the improvements should be made, the total coat being estimated at £3OO. The renewal of the gas contract would mean an undertaking to use gas as an illuminanfc tlnrimr the term of the contract in all tho buildings where it was at present used, the board having a free hand. as tr its other present or new buildings- Thin whs subject to the rierht at any time to instal gas engines and use electric light, and it was extremely probable that this course would reduce tho cost of lighting. Exhaustive reports had been obtained, the committee being justified in saving that two-thirds of the gas consumed by the board was used for heating purposes and not for lighting. The expenditure under this head could not be less than £SOO a year. To further economise, steamhgated coppers were bein’g fitted up. and a large saving in the consumption of gas was expected.

NOT FAIR .TO THE COUNCIL. Mr J. Smith said it was not fair to the City Council that such negotiations should be carried on with the Gas Company. Tho city might be prepared-to do the work at a less cost, and the whole question should be submitted to the council before an arrangement as suggested was -ratified. Mr D. Robertson : Tho city is scrapping its machinery now I Air Smith : No. He admitted that the council had abandoned some of its plant and installed more up-to-date machinery. Ho moved that the report be sent back to the committee.

Mr J. E. Fitzgerald seconded the resolution. There should l>e reciprocity between local bodies, and he finite agreed .with Mr Smith. It was highly improper even to suggest the commitment of the board to a private company for five years when cheaper .lighting could bo procured. " Mr D. Robertson thought they should stick to gas. It was very convenient indeed. They could heat and cook with gas, and electric current was not in it for such purpose®. Ho criticised the electric lighting department, and stated that the ratepayers were paying the piper. Mr A. H. Hindmarsh took exception to the previous speaker’s remarks. The department was not costing the ratepayers anything at all. Since the corpora-' tiou had taken over the undertaking the cost of current had been considerably reduced and instead of it costing the ratepayers* money, the corporation was giving them something. In these days of rapid changes of lighting it was a mestakb to make a five years' contract. Ho hoped the whole question would bo put before the City Council. The interests of the council and the board were identical and seme way out of the difficulty might be found. Mr J. Titwor said that if some of the objectors had had a conversation with the cdtv electrical engineer their views would have boon changed. Three members who formed the committee had been dealing with the question for six months. They had received estimates from the electric lighting department, and if these were - .shown members would not start lashing the committee for its action.

Mr Fitzgerald: Wc are not lashing you. but simply cspi-essing our opinions.

Air A. H. Hindmarsh : Why not hav© the contract for two years? Atr Trevor: I do not think they would have that. They asked for seven, years, and wo had it reduced to five. Mr J. Godber said that under all tho circumstances it was better to have gas. GAS MUCH CHEAPER. Air R. C. Kirk said they would not have recommended gas if it had not been cheaper. The electrical engineer had given an estimate of what current would be required. His estimate was J 6503 per annum independent of wiring, and the present lighting was . not more than •£3OO. A rough estimate for lamps and wiring showed that .£7OO would bo needed. The council would have to reduce its cost 75 per cent, to enable the board to be independent of the Gas Company. Air B. R, Gardener was quite sure the City Corporation could not compete with the Gas Company, and the committee should be congratulated on bringing down the report. Tho recommendation for renewal of the contract wa* adopted by 11 votes to 3. Atr Fitzgerald immediately gave notice to have the motion rescinded at the next board meeting. Mr T>. Robertson said the dignity of the councillors was evidently affected, because they were not consulted.