BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1920, Page 8

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

THE FINANCIAL POSITION. GENERAL MANAGER'S REPORT. The General Manager of the Borough of New Plymouth reports as follows to the Council:— The revenue is coming in very well indeed, and the amount to be received by the end of the year is likely to be considerably in excess of the amount originally estimated. This, however, will be more than counter-balanced by the Eaet that the actual expenditure at the end of the year will greatly exceed the amount estimated to be spent. This over-expenditure will be under the heading of streets and streets maintenance, and this is the natural sequel to the decision of the Council to complete this year as much as possible of the repairs to the streets comprising the tram route and other tarred streets. Special returns, however, were recently submitted showing the anticipated position of the general account at the end of the year, providing all the works now authorised are completed by that date. All these works will not, of course, be actually completed, but the estimated cost of those not completed will require to be carried forward in next year's estimates as a liability, and will have a corresponding effect upon next year's finance. Motor Lorry Depreciation and Renewals Acpount.—The credit to this account has increased to £9BB, and it is apparent that the rates allowed will provide for a new lorry at the end of the life of the present vehicle, and will leave ample provision for repairs and renewals in the meantime. Street Works Plant Loan.—A special report was made some little time ago, showing how the present inadequate plant hampered operations. If these conditions are to be remedied in time for next season, the question of a special loan for plant should be considered as soon as possible. The necessary storage for tar and other materials should be provided, if possible, not later than ..rune next in order that a reserve may be accumulated ready for commencing next season's work in early November. As previously pointed out, the present method of living from hand to mouth, as it were, for materials, causes anxiety, and may at any time lead to a stoppage of work. To ensure something better for next year the matter must be taken in hand now. Steps will therefore be taken to expedite the report and estimates in regard to this matter called for by the Council at the end of November last.

STREET REPAIRS. Street Works. —In accordance with instructions, practically all available labor is being concentrated upon the repairs to the streets comprising the tram route, and very satisfactory progress has been made. With the exception of the portion between Gover Street and Eliot Street (which cannot be undertaken until the tramway drain has been completed) the whole of the retarring of Devon Street from Kobe Street to the Waiwakailio is just about completed. Hydro-electric Extensions. —The consulting engineers have reported upon the progress of the tunnel work at the intake, and the Council will have noted that essential parts' of the work are likely to be held up owing to the shortage of cement. Strenuous efforts are being made to overcome this difficulty. Unless ihese efforts are successful, serious delays must eventuate, as the particular work involved is such that it must be done in the summer months when the water is low.

The bulk of the copper wire for the transmission line to lnglewood has arrived. Poles and other material for this line have been ordered. A special charter of the steamships Omana and Inga lias been arranged to bring the poles direct from Australia to New Plymouth, and it is hoped that these boats will arrive here within the next six months.

ELECTRIC POWER RESTRICTION. Electricity Department.—From the Electrical Engineer's report- it will be seen that large numbers of new consumers arc being connected up each month, tire average for the past year being over 30 per month. Whilst the Department cannot well refuse new busipess, it is well to understand that unless (he intake tunnel is completed before. June next (a very remote possibility) the greatest difficulty is anticipated in. carrying the load next winter. In order to do so, the electrical engineer feels that In all probability the following expedients will have to be adopted during peak load hours during the period in question:— Cutting off street lighting; reducing supply voltage to 200 volts (giving a poor light); and prohibiting the use of radiators, irons, and certain classes of power. These restrictions would, however, rs stated, only take place during peak load hours. The above remarks are of some moment to those who are now installing electrical power machinery. For various reasons, which need not be referred to here, certain power users are discarding their steam or gas plants and installing electrical motors. Whilst these large consumers would be welcomed as soon as the new power scheme is sufficiently far advanced, they will probably eause the Electrical Department some embarrassment next winter. The engineer has on various occasions considered the question of auxiliary power to meet the winter peak load, but in view of the heavy expenditure entailed in purchasing plant, which would be required for a few months only, he has not seen his way to recommend anything being done in this direction.

TRAM EXTENSIONS. Tramways Department.—When everything is running smoothly, one is apt to overlook difficulties under which a Department may be laboring. In view of the Council's intention to submit loan proposals for tramway extensions, 1 have conferred with the electrical engineer with the object of ascertaining whether provision should not be made in the new loan for the necssary funds to provide equipment and make necessary alterations leading to greater efiicieney mid easier working in the above Department. The following are the more important recommendations made by him, for which it is desired that provision be made in the new loan. I have no hesitation in endorsing his recommendations. More Cars Required.—The shortage of cars is very acute, making the work of maintenance very difficult, and the cost much heavier. Minor repairs, which under ordinary circumstances might be delayed until the time came for the car to lay up for repairs in its proper turn, '■ave to be effected immediately. No

chances can be taken in delaying these; minor repairs, as there are not sufficient cars to regularly lay up each car for complete overhaul. Triangle for Turning Cars Required.— The absence of arrangements for turning the cars round entails a large amount of extra work in reversing the wheels. It also entails a greater expenditure in the maintenance of the car bodies and of the equipment generally. Increased Workshop Accommodation. —The workshop accommodation is inadequate, and makes the handling of much of the work very difficult. The necessity for an up-to-date blacksmith shop is also very much felt. The great difficulty in obtaining materials has placed upon the Department the necessity of manufacturing many pnrts which otherwise would be purchased, thus accentuating the congestion. The large amount of work passing through the workshop necessitates that proper accommodation be available. Tram Shelters Required.—For the convenience of the public, more tram shelters are required along the tram route. Asphalt Alongside Tram Rails Rev. quired.—A strip of deep asphalt is required on both sides of each tram rail right throughout the route in order to minimise the constant cleavage of the track due to vibration. This should have really been part of the original contract, bnt as it 'was not included provision should be made now for the work in order to obviate almost continuous repairs to the track. Soma of the above matters have been previously reported upon. They will entail a very heavy capital expenditure, and the opportunity should be taken to provide for the necessary funds in the new loan. It is impossible to provide for the expenditure otherwise than by way of loan, and unless this is done the Department must work at a disadvantage for many years to come.