HEATHCOTE COUNTY LIGHTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 138, 17 July 1914, Page 9

HEATHCOTE COUNTY LIGHTING.

MAKING OWN POWER. The Heatheote County Council is installing an electrical lighting scheme with power generated by the suction gas plant used at present for pumping water for the Cashmere Hills. The engine is 45 horsepower, and the present surplus power is used to generate the electricity. The scheme was originally created for street lighting (the power for which is at present obtained from, the Tramway Board) and for driving the motor for pumping water to the upper reservoir, but by increasing the size of the generator it was found sible to supply the ratepayers and residents with cheap light while the pumping plant is in use. This would only be for a few hours, but if sufficient support is given to the scheme, the Council intends at once to install storage batteries so that the power could be available for the twenty-four hours. The rate to be charged at present is a flat rate, and it is hoped when the scheme is fully developed to considerably reduce the scale, as the Council is not out for a profit, but rather to give the consumers the benefit of the very lowest rate! The present rate is as follows: —50 eandlepower lamps, 5/4 per quarter; 32 c.p. lamps, 3/2 per quarter; 25 c.p. lamps, 2/5 per quarter; 16 c.p, lamps, 1/6 per quarter. The Council is supplying the poles to connect the mains to the houses, but the consumers must supply the wires. The scljeme is expected to be the cheapest in the Dominion.