PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Patea Mail, 14 May 1941, Page 4

PATEA BOROUGH COUNCIL

FIRE BRIGADE COMMITTEE’S REPORT The committee reported as follows.— 1. That, in view of the fact that 85 per cent, of the fires in the city of Wellington were extinguished by l the use of bucket pumps, and also taking into consideration the difficulty in procuring a supply of hose, the council purchase two bucket pumps at an approximate cost of £5/10/- each. That the council take steps to have the wishes of the ratepayers with regard to the constitution of a lire district for the borough given effect to. 3. That, in view of the fact that the present uniforms have been in use for approximately 35 years, the council make provision for the supply of new uniforms when framing the estimates for the current year. 4. That the provisions of Section 390 By-law No. 1 with reference to chimney fires bo enforced. 5. That “No Parking” signs bo placed at sites of all fire plugs in Egmont Street. G. That a complete overhaul bo made of all fire plugs in the borough. 7. That the possibility of placing manual fire alarms in the northern portion of the borough be investigated. STREETS REPORT Streets Graded: Devon Street from Norfolk Street to Cambridge Street; Norfolk Street from Kent Street to York Street; Kent Street from Norfolk Street to Bedford Street; Mopmouth Street, Albany Street, Gray Street, Essex Street have been finished. Gloucester Street: Spoil has been carted off this street. The drain in Devon Street between Cambridge Street and Leicester Street has been cleaned out.

The footpath in Stafford Street by Mr. T. Cardiff’s property has been clipped. Main Street has been clipped.

Two days have been spent shifting sand off no. 2 Sighway, and sumps have been cleaned out. Main street rubbish has been attended to throughout the month. Work for this Month:'—Gradingstreets, forming foothpaths and laying them with beach metal.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER ’S REPORT HYDRO STATION: This station has continued to run in a satisfactory manner and the water supply in the stream has been sufficient for requirements. In addition to the usual inspection of turbine etc. and several small repairs, the draught tube was also plated, a small hole having shown itself in the section in. the tunnel under the station.

The rainfall for the month totalled 3.o4Jnches compared with 2.01 inches for the same month of last year.

BULK SUPPLY: During the period the supply from this source has .been satisfactory. One short interruption of a few minutes’ duration occurred during the month. The figures for the month with the same month of the last two years for comparison, are as under:—

Hydro: 1911—12,654; 1049—10,852; 1939—7,007. Diesel: Nil; Nil; Nil. Bulk: 20,901; 138,644; 125,016. Totals: 1941 —183,555; 1940—149, 496; 1939' —132,023. This represents a decrease of 10.6 percent. on last year, and an increase of 1.1 per cent, over the same month of 1939. The demand on the substation is however substantially lower than in the two previous years.

LINES: Maintenance work as follows was attended to during the period: Trees causing trouble to the lines in Wilson Road were cut back. A broken cross-arm at Kakaramea was replaced. Several .slack services were attended to. In addition to the above, the lines in Dorset and Stafford Streets were altered to give service to a new all-electric home, and service run for same. Water heating controls were also run in several sections, and several additional water heaters connected to same.

SERVICING: In addition to repairs to apparatus etc. the following apparatus etc was added to the system: 22 heat points, 44 light points, 5 ranges, 5 water heaters.

Included in the above arc four State houses and one other residence, a total of five new consumers.

WATER AND DRAINAGE: The figures for this department are as under, with the same period of the last two years for comparison.— Unite: 1941—7,822; 1940—6,933; 1939—0,914.

Gallons: 2,737,700; 2,426,550; 2, 420,100.

Deep Well: 1,824; 1,008; 2,287. Air Comp. Nil, 1,880; 700. Total Units: 1941 —9,640; 1940 —9, 821; 1939—9,901. The deep well pump was withdrawn from/the well during the period and found to be in a satisfactory condition. When last removed some-six or eight months ago, a little wear was apparent on the pump bearings and a good deal of wear on the shaft above the pump. A series of extra supports wore then installed and this Iras proved satisfactory, no wear at all being apparent on this section of the pump. On thepump section itself very little further wear has taken place < t.hcr than that, apparent during the last inspection and the pump has now been re-installed. As the spare pump ■•haft was used during the previous repairs T would recommend that a snare shaft be procured to keep on hand. Frveial spare impellers, as well as bushings etc. are in stock at the station.

CENKKAL: On tire night of April 27th ,T. Harris of the Hydro sluff injured his leg on the stops in the tunnel and lias boon olf 'work si may but is expected to resume on nr about, the 9tli May.