THE NEW POWER

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12199, 25 July 1925, Page 5

THE NEW POWER

PROGRESS OF “CHANGE OVER” RELIEVING THE OLD SYSTEM WORK IN CITY AND SUBURBS Since the commencement of the change-over from the City Council’s old electrical supply—which has done admirable service for tbi past 35 years—to the new supply on the Government standard basis, the'efforts of the council’s officers have produced very satisfactory results, and 3000 of the estimated 93,000 or 23,000 connections in the city and suburbs have been altered to meet the requirements of the new voltage. Whereas the Government has allowed ten years for the complete change to be mkde, it is the opinion of the power engineer (Mr G. Lachlan) that in five years’ time the major portion will be completed. In conveying this opinion, Mr Lachlan said that, so far, the chief activities, had been centred on the eastern side of the town. The whole of Seatoun had, of course, been changed over for some time, and the Evans Bay district also had received the new power

over the past two months—and sdme' of that areal for three months. Lyall Bay was then centred upon, and the major portion of that locality had been switched across. Part of the Miramar block had been similarly treated, while the whole of the Miramar peninsula was in readiness, though not actually switched over. At the present time the change-over gang were concentrating upon *h« northern side of the Kilbirnie Post Office. “Unfortunately, during the winter months the extremely had weather has made it impossible for the outside gang to make any tangible headway,’’ continued' the engineer, “and the result has been that the inaide men have forgdd ahead of them. We hope that with the advent df fine weather we will be able, to retrieve some of the lost ground, and have the whole Mirar mar block Completed before Christmas. ■ EXTENSION IN CITY “While this work has been going on in the suburbs, a certain amount 'of progress has also bean made in. the city, and quite a large area in Courtenay place has .already been changed to the new system in pursuance with 1 the policy laid down when the operations were commenced.. This policy is Ito continually pick up loads in the city when the occasion arises. We cannot allow the old- plant to take any greater load than it is shouldering at the present - time, and when any new extension is mads in that part of the city which is supplied solely by the old scheme, we have to relieve this load at the other end of the city where the new system is coming in. “Arrangements have already been made - for the Winter Show to receive light and power from the new system.” FIVE YEARS HENCE Upon being questioned upon the matter of reticulating houses or I business premises in blocks, Mr Lachlan said that in some cases, delays in nhgngjng across _ were experienced through one house in a long line not being ready to receive the power. In that event this house held the remainder of the street up. In some instances it was the absence of .the landlord, or the tenants, and occasionally a search had to be made in another town for the owner of the property before the house could be prepared for *the new wiring. However, with all the tribulations that wore experienced, the officials hod always an expedient, so that as little delay as possibJe was occasioned in the execution of the work.

“The people , are taking it realiy well, he concluded, “and although the Government has allowed Us ten years to complete the job, I think we can make a, big hole in it in five. There are approximately 22,000 or 23,000 connections to be made, and we have completed 3000.” V