THE PELORUS GUARDIAN and Miners’ Advocate. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1918. HAVELOCK’S LIGHTING SCHEME.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 21, 15 March 1918, Page 2

THE PELORUS GUARDIAN and Miners’ Advocate. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1918. HAVELOCK’S LIGHTING SCHEME.

The proposed hydro-electric lighting scheme for Havelock, having advanced another stage by receipt of the Government stamp cf approval, appears likely to he further delayed by the ill-timed resignation of two of the Town Board members. At Wednesday’s meeting the chairman very properly expressed the opinion that a Board reduced to three members could hardly accept the responsibility of finally sanctioning an expenditure of approximately £2OOO. A step forward, however, is being made in the decision to obtain the authority (or otherwise) of the ratepayers for the raising of the necessary loan. It is to be hoped that the Board will be brought up to its full strength by next meeting, so that the matter may be finally dealt with and provision made fox lighting the town at the earliest possible date. The great advantages of electricity for lighting, heating, and power over any other system (providing it can be cheaply produced) may be seen at any time at Picton, where a most successful and up-to-date plant has recently been installed and is now in full working order. Conflicting reports have reached Havelock from time to time in regard to Picton’g venture,

and in order to secure some reliable information on the matter a representative of this paper paid a visit to that progressive township a few days ago, and the result of his investigations wore highly satisfactory. A number of private houses, large and small business premises, the Anglican Church, and Municipal offices, were visited on the Saturday evening, when the demands on the power-house were greatest, and the light was, in every case steady and brilliant. The streets were also well lit, and presented a striking contrast to the thoroughfares of Havelock, which at present are literally plunged in gloom after sunset. The best argument to the success at Picton is the fact that up to the present the number, of connections—about 150—has far exceeded anticipations, and the number is being added to at the rate of two or three a week. Consumers all expressed satisfaction at the convenience, cleanliness and cheapness of the new light and power, and no word of complaint reached the ears of our representative. Through the courtesy of Mr Barnes (engineer in charge of the installaI tion) a visit was made to the powerI house, where the. large 60 h.p. suction gas engine, and pelton wheel generating 20 h.p. from the water supply 1 were working smoothly and in unison, and requiring very little attention. Late in the evening, when a smaller load of current is required, the waterpower only is left running, and as this motor requires no attention the powerhouse can be closed for the night. It is interesting to note the scale of charges at present in vogue in Picton, and which strike one as almost the limit of cheapness. A 16 c.p. lamp costs 4s per year, a 25 c.p. 6s, a 32 c.p, 9s, and a 50 c.p. 12s 6d. The average dwelling with say six or eight 16 c.p. lamps can thus be lighted for a year at a cost of from 24s to 325. The cost of lamps which may require replacing through breakage or wear is very low —in fact below pre-war rates. Many householders have already gone in for electric cookers, toasters, electrically heated irons, etc., and it is anticipated that the demand for these conveniences will increase as the people get more j familiar in their use. Electric radia- , tors and sweepers, and electrically driven fans are among the other bene- | fits now procurable, and which doubtj less in the near future will be regarded ' as necessaries in the well-to-do household or shop. Ample provision has been made in the building of the power , house for doubling or trebling the present power, so that the Council are in a position to meet all the demands likely to be made on the new system. It was ascertained by our representative that the cost of fittings had exceeded the figures submitted and ap- , proved, but it must bp remembered that ; the cost of material’ (with the exception of ono or two lines) had increased from 30 to 35 per cent. The increase in the anticipated expenditure was probably not so great as the increase in cost of material. In any building operation it is rarely that the architect’s estimate of the total cost is not ; exceeded. There are generally unforseen circumstances and difficulties to be overcome which add considerably to the original estimate, and for which due allowance should be made in every undertaking. From the point of view of the Borough Council the Picton electric lighting scheme is an unqualified success, and the statement of the first year’s operations is expected to show a substantial profit. This argues well for good credit balances in future years, when the scope of the system will no doubt be considerably extended. It is interesting to note the increased interest shown in hydro-electric power in various parts of the Dominion since the exigencies of the war have ; cut off supplies of carbide, and caused the price of lighting materials to go up to expensive heights. The Wanganui Chamber of Commerce is urging that active steps be taken to expedite the development of hydro-electric power during the coming Parliamentary session. Failing the Government's ability to launch any extensive water-power schemes during the war, the Prime Minister has given personal assurance and encouragement for the persecution of the work by local enterprise. Hydroelectric development was first instituted by the Ward Government, with the intention of allocating half a million a year to the work, and but for the war intervening, Wellington and other large centres would no doubt be now enjoying the benefits of the cheap universal light and power. It is certain, however, that once the financial strain of the war is over, Parliament will legislate in the direction of utilising the Dominion’s vast resources of water power.