Electricity for Stratford.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXI, Issue 71, 12 October 1920, Page 7

Electricity for Stratford.

IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES. Electric light matters occupied a good ileal of the time of the Borough Council at the meeting last niglit. The discussion clearly showed that members were fully alive to the necessity of the department being put on a more stable foundation as regards guaranteering eelctricity for the town, as under present conditions of the plant there was great anxiety at times in continuing the supply. The usual monthly reports wore brought down by the electrical engineer (Mr Hollands) and in addition three schemes for improvement. The monthly reports were as follows : The formation of Cordelia Street between Celia Street and suspension hidge is still in progess, except for the work being held np temporarily owing to th© ivet weather. Footpaths and water tables have been cleaned. Culverts hav e been placed where required. Patching has been done on variou s streets. The fire hell tower, Lear Street South has been repaired and painted. The watertrough from Newton King’s, Ltd., has been placed in selected position. The docking of Victoria and Swansea bridg es hag “been repaired on several occasions. Both roller and portable engine have been overhauled. Contractors have delivered all boulders to depot, a. (quantity of boulders and screenings hav© been delivered t') Diesel Station for new foundation, and several loads of metal pm clown in front of Diesel workshops. A truck of Pin concrete pipes arrived, and were carted to yard. The work of covering the roof of the borough shed is now completed; and battens placed on inside of walls as instructed. Repairs to roof of roller shed will be earned out as soon as time permits.

Mr Hollands reported that the hydro station plant was running well, having had the usual overhaul during the month. The weir had been examined, and the dam requires cleaning out as soon a s weather permitted He referred to the recent mischief done at the hydro. The Diesel Plant was running well. The foundation of new unit was now being put in. Several sections ( f the lines were overhauled. All street lights have been examined during the month, aCd several renairod A temporary light was installed near corner of Orlando and Celia Streets. Seven new' connections were made during the month. Units generated were as follows Hydro, 21,958; Diesel, 5,993; total, 30,951, being a decrease of 5,810 from last month.

The committee reported as follows: The Council’s lease of th© shop in Broadway North has now. expired, and Messrs Smart Bros, have 1 "asked that certain s&all repairs be effected, and the Engineer has been authorised to attend tb same. We recommend that the Council adopt the larger scheme as set out in the Engineer’s report. PROPOSED NEW HEAD WORKS. Further, to my report on the above, submitted to the Council at the April meeting last, stated the Electrical Engineer, I have now received information as to the cost of new turbines, etc., and have pleasure in sub mitting three schemes for the nn provement of Hydro Plant for your consideration. Scheme No. 1 deals with improvements to head works, comprising new weir, intake gates, tunnel open rac?, spillway, ferebay and fluming, to crease the capacity of our present plant v.'do my April report. Scheme 2 deals with improvements as set out in Scheme No. 1, but includes new turbine of 100 b.p. complete with generator, • switchboard, includi g erec ion. Scheme No. 3 deal s with improvements as set cut in Scheme No. 1 and 2, hut includes remodelling of our present turbines and eqiupment. Scheme No. I—£s,-124. Scheme No. 2—£8,924. Scheme No. 3—£12,000. Tlie above includes interest and sinking fund for the fir-t months, Shou'd the Council decide on Scheme No. 3, the Hydro Station, capacity would be 155 k.w. or 220 b.p., an increase of 65' k.w. or 100 b.p. Our present old turbine would be entirely renewed, and No. 2 designed as a selfgoverned unit. The Hydro Plant would then be brought up to a modern station. I estimate that the saving to the Borough on the improvements to bead work staffer work is completed, would provide an amount sufficient to pay interest and sinking fund on the proposed loan, and with the extra potver available during eight months of the year, our area of supply could bo extended with a proportionate increase of revenue. Tli© total capacity of the Council’s electric power-houses would then be 390 k.w., or 550 b.p. Tf the Council decide to adopt any of the foregoing schemes as sot forth, ] wish to state that the improvements to head work s would hav© to be started not later than' January 1921, to | complete the most vital sections bcfoio i next w nt' r.

THE DISCUSSION. Cr. Hunter, in moving tho adoption of Mr Hollands No. 3 scheme, said that everything was in the way of obtaining power, and the loan was further off than ever. He emphasised the utility of No. 3 scheme, which would give the Council a modern plant, and together with the plant that had already been, ordered would be sufficient to give an increased supply, and would make the hydro absolutely safe, without fear in the case of heavy rain of the dam going down the river. Cr. Hunter said tho Council must have hydro power of some sort and when the second Diesel arrived, the Council would bo in a very much better position. The Engineer was of opinion that with tho scheme adopted, it would be possible to, run for eight months of the year with the hydro alone. That would he a great relief also as far as, tho expenditure was concerned. Judging from the Government reports to hand, iv. seemed there was little hope of the* Waikato scheme being carried ont for a long time, perhaps never, as there was great trouble in _ finding foundations for tho big dam. At present there was none in sight. The Council would have to make provision for improvement to the hydro or they would have to run at a loss. He assured the people that the addition of new turbines and the improvements proposed would make the plant thoroughly up-to-date and give plenty of power, and there would be no 1 need for worry of any serious magnitude for many years to come.

Cr. Newton seconded the motion, stating that the trend of events at present regarding fuel should satisfy everybody that hydro-work-ing was absolutely necessary for the Councjl, and they should obtain all the power possible from this source. If tho Council was going to spend money, it would be to tho best advantage to go in for the £12,000 as proposed in the No. 3 scheme, which would make the whole plant complete. !, Cr. Cameron suggested holding over decision in the matter until councillors had had more time to become thoroughly CQiiyersant with the scheme proposed. The sum of money involved was large, and the delay of a, week until next meeting would nob prejudice the proposal. He moved in that direction.

The Mayor agreed, and suggested that the plans be submitted to a Government official for endorsement. This, lie considered, would rather strengthen the hands of tho Council in coming to a decision.

Cr. Hunter,, in reply, while agreeing to a. postponement, pointed, out that delay was dangerous,; and a decision should Hot long he withheld. The plant was liable to break down at any time and the town to ho thrown into absolute darkness. He hoped the members of the Council would appreciate the position and do everything in their power not to delay too long. With the consent of his seconder, ho would withdraw the motion. Cr. Newton agreed.

The committee reported that a conference had been held with representatives of the Model Dairy Farm Committee, and that there would he no objection on their part to the proposed improvements. There was no reason to prevent the Council going on with the loan proposals. The committee recommended that the clause in the present lease relating to, the fencing of the dam be fulfilled the Council. —Adopted.