TRAMS AND LIGHT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9639, 20 April 1917, Page 6

TRAMS AND LIGHT

CURTAILED SERVICES

COAL SHORTAGE FORCES CITY COUNCIL TO ACT.

Curtailment of' the municipal tramway and lighting systems was agreed to Jr/ the Cit£ Council last night after a discussion in committee and consideration of a report by the tramways menngor upon the best means of meeting the difficulty occasioned by the coal 1 in a brief introductory speech before (going into committee the Mayor said that it was a most sorry Condition or affairs that while the community was driving and exerting every ounce or energy to win the war a certain section should take such a stand as that oi the miners. The shortage of coal was n serious matter to the council, and as onlv a small stock was on hand the council had to consider the matter immediately. This would bo done in committee. The report of the tramways manager (:.ir ,V. it. ALurtoiu on the subject was as follows I— - * , ... ■AS instructed, I have carefully considered th# best possible means of cnablinsr the T>TP6oftt stock of coal at the electric lighting station and at the traiv/ay power station to meet the urge c ; dr-mauds of both services for as Jong » period as possible, and after consultation with the electrical engineers 01 t«,f.b departments 1 have to report;— ELECTRIC LIGHTING DEPARTMENT. “There is at this station sufficient coal whoa mixed with coke as at prosent delivered from the gasworks to last for about two months, pie a'ora go daily consumption of coal m .about di) tons which is consumed during throe ■watches as followsß n.m. to * p.m., 8 tons; 4 p.m. to 12 midnight, 16 tons; 12 midnight to 8 a.m., 6 tons. "The greatest economy can do made by reducing the peak load to such an •extent as will obviate the necessity of keeping the fires banked in the old ■boiler-house in Harris street. The use of Mie old boilers is only essential during the heavy peak load in winter months, when the new boilers are worked to their utmost capacity. Tho probable shortage of coal; however, seems to warrant tho taking of extra risk, and it therefore seems necessary to consider in what manner such .risks cquld he lessoned. The most certain method would be by reducing tho peak load so os to bring same within the capacity of tho boilers in tho new boiler-house, and this could bo done by: “(a) Tho hours for cessation of work in business premises to be altered as follows:—Offices and warehouses. 4.30 p.m.; shops, 5.30 p.m. This would mean the adoption of a daylight-saving scheme to meet present requirements, and I see no reason why the alteration could not bo made and work commence a halfhour earlier. Such alteration would also, I think, tend to diminish the overcrowding on the tranis between 3 and 6 p.m. In Christchurch many firms have already altered their working hours in a similar manner so as to bo able td take advantage of tho lower rates at which power is supplied outside of peak hours. I am informed that Gisborne has also adopted a similar system. “(bl Street lighting to be cut off at 12 midnight, but, as explained by the electrical engineer of the lighting department, the saving in coal consumption would not be groat, and extra risks in other directions would be incurred, as one generator would bo required to he kept in action during night hours, and the saving to be effected would be the difference in running the machine at three-quarter load and full load, which in actual practice is not great. “(c) The cutting out of all external illuminating and advertising signs until say, 7.30 p.m., or such other hour as may be found advisable br the electrical engineer of the lighting department during tho time tho shortage of coal continues.

"(cl) Picture theatres not to bo supplied with lighting between 4.30 and 7 p.m.

TRAMWAY department. "As regards the tramway department, X have to make the following suggestions i—"(a) That Sunday traffic bo curtailed as far as possible bv charging a universal 6d fare over all lines. This will reduce travelling probably by 50 per cent. The mere provision of a limited number of cars would be dangerous, as people would crowd on to same; overcrowding on Sundays can only be proven ted by charging higher fares as suggested Hero followed the list of proposed reductions in the service, which were withheld from publication for a day or two.

'"This,” continues the report, "will result in a saving of power required during the slack hours of the day, but will he economical only as regards coal. / "(o) The spreading of the hours for the cessation of work should certainly result in a reduction of the peak load and a saving of at least one boiler during such period. "(d) Picture theatres not to be supplied with nower between 4.50 and 7 p.m. "In conclusion, I desire to add that the shortage of coal is at present more . acute in fho tramway denartment than in the lighting .department, there being only about three weeks’ supply available. If. however, the trouble becomes more acute and indications are _ given that a very protracted strike is inevitable, it should be determined whether It will or not be advisable to continue tho work of the lighting department in preference to that of the tramway department." The report was adonted iu open council.