BOROUGH ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16421, 23 April 1919, Page 4

BOROUGH ELECTRICAL DEPARTMENT.

ENGINEER'S ANNUAL REPORT. The year opened and continued throughout its greater part under war coiiaitious, ana nearly an matters have ■ been affected to an extreme degree. This ellect is such that no useful comparisons can be drawn with the workings oi previous years, in some cases thu present extreme conditions have benefited particular industries, and again tnis benefit has been offset by , tuo scarcity of labour and high increases in wages and materials. In the | case of electricity supply authorities, , the demand for power and 'lighting has in almost every instance exceeded the [ supply. This has been brought ahout . by tho individual power users seeking to effect economy in labour and fuel, together with the difficulties and uncertainties of procuring stocks of same, to secure continuous operation. There is no doubt in my mind that tho effect | thus produced has given electric power supply a big boost that has conic to stay. I have in hand various inquiries for’ the electrifying of works now using steam and gas plants, and all of these will come over as soon as we arc in a position to give the required power. This aspect has been fully and carefully dealt with by the council on several occasions during tho year, and measures adopted whereby this power can and will bo supplied in tho near future.' 'ITio progress mado by the electricity supply department during the year is ] illustrated by tho following figures and I records:—There has been 170 consum- • ors connected to tho mains and 68 nddii tions to existing consumers’ installations. Tho new consumers and additions amount to an increased installed capacity of 153 kilowats as against 312 kilowats for the previous year. Tho plant capacity at tho powerhouse has been extended by tho installation of another 2-50 kilowat alternator and turbine. This plant was required nearly two years before it was delivered at tho power station, and some very anxious times were experienced duo to its absence. This plant is now’ in tho third month of tho maintenance period, and is operating satisfactorily with the exception of one or two matters relating to the turbines and which have boon reported on previously. Tho whole of tho plant, both at tho power-house and distributntion stations, has operated satisfactorily throughout the year. There have been times when machines have required careful watching, and quick repairs have had to he effected, but I am of opinion that tho maintenance will not bo excessive for the present abnormal times. Tho intake on the AVaiwakaiho River I has required considerable attention during the year, due principally to abnormal river conditions. The river has been in flood on many occasions, much more so than is general, and very large quantities of sand and shingle have been deposited at tho mouth of the intake and in tho. intake raco and dam. This had all to ho removed, and consequently one may expect the maintenance on this portion to bo higher than in other years. I majority of this trouble to tho removing of boulders higher up the river and also to a great amount of erosion that has taken place along tho river banks in the upper regions of the river. The minimum river level has not reached the minimum for 1917 by four or live inches, likewise tho flood level has not approached anything like that for 1917. The trading section of the electricity supply department has been maintained under difficulties, and no very striking results can be expected, or are they possible with the limited stocks available, together with the extremely high prices. My plans are mapped out, to deal with this section when the time is opportune, but until then the present policy must be adhered to which is one of catering for necessities only.