LIGHTING THE HILLS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 223, 24 October 1914, Page 13

LIGHTING THE HILLS.

OPENING OF ELECTRIC SUPPLY. A fair number of people attended the opening ceremony of the Cashmere | Hills electric lighting scheme last eveni ing, which took place at .the Heathcote County Council's power house. The j power is supplied from generators run by the excess energy developed by the pumping plant which lifts the water from the plains to the reservoir on the Hills, and for this reason the council expects to provide it at a very cheap rate. The guests were conducted over the pumping station by the county engineer, Mr-Barnes, who explained the working of the machinery, and afterwards the party adjourned to a large marqiree which, had been erected outside, and here addresses were given by members of the council and others. The chairman of the council, Mr George Scott, said that now the roading water, and sewage schemes were nearing completion, and the electric lighting scheme had been finished, it was considered a suitable time to call the ratepayers together and explain the works on which the council had been engaged. Despite all the improvements made the rates were lower than had been expected, and he thought the majority of the ratepayers were satisfied. Five miles of water-mains had been laid, and it was now advisable for the ratepayers to form a fire brigade. Four mile of roads had been regraded, and many miles of kerbing and channelling had been completed, and four and a half miles of sewers had been laid. The total cost of the electric lighting scheme was £I2OO, eight hundred pounds of which had already been paid off, and the remainder would be paid off in two years. The cost of providing the light would be much lower than gas, and a better light would be given. Cashmere was about the only district in New Zealand that had provided itself with electric light without having to raise a special loan for the purpose. Addresses appreciative of the council 's work were also given by Mr H. Pannett, chairman of the Eatepayers' Association, Professor Macmillan Brown, and Messrs Armstrong (engineer for the works), E. Mulcock, E. J. Barnes (county engineer), E. Richardson," and L. Birks. At the conclusion of the address the power was switched oh by Mrs Mulcock, and the ceremony cone hided with the serving of refreshments.-