UGLY TRANSFORMERS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 55, Issue 3938, 11 August 1937, Page 5

UGLY TRANSFORMERS

OBJECTION TO THEM IN AUCKLAND. “THEY SPOIL THE STREETS.” Te Awamutu is not the only centre where objection has been lodged to the erection of huge and by no means ornate electric power transformers in certain streets. It will be recalled that at last meeting of the local Borough Council pointed criticism was levelled at the action of Te Awamutu Electric Power Board anent the transformer at the comer of Alexandra and Roche Streets, where it will be within a few feet of the fine new Commercial Hotel.

The erection by the Auckland Electric Power Board of large transformer boxes in residential streets is drawing numerous complaints from householders, who object to their unsightly appearance. About a dozen of these boxes have already been erected in various parts of the city and suburbs, and many more are to be provided, in connection with the change-over to alternating current. Residents who find their street frontages disfigured by the presence of these structures hold that the Auckland Electric Power Board should purchase land in order to set the transformers back from the street.

“ The streets are being absolutely disfigured,” one resident said. “ Power poles and overhead wires are unsightly enough, but when we have horrible objects like these planted in front of our houses it is a little too much. The Auckland Electric Power Board is a trading concern and one of the most wealthy in the country. It should be in a position to buy small sections to place its transformers in positions where they will not be so much of an eyesore.”

The matter was referred to Mr R. H. Bartley, general manager of the Board, who said the boxes were necessary for the change-over to alternating current, and were being erected to avoid the necessity of placing the transformers on poles. About a dozen of the new transformers had already been installed, and many more were to be provided. They were not yet in their finished state, and eventually they would be painted green. Where parks and other similar areas were available at convenient sites the transformers were being set back off the road.