ELECTRICAL WORK

Waikato Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2442, 10 September 1921, Page 4

ELECTRICAL WORK

PROGRESS DURING AUGUST SUBSTATION NOW COMPLETE 192 CONSUMERS CONNECTED A highly interesting report on the electrical progress in Cambridge for the month of August was furnished to the Electric Power Board at last night's meeting, by the contracting engineers, Messrs Turnbull and. Jones, Ltd.

"During the past fortnight," stated the writers, under date, September 2, "wo have found it necessary to discharge in all eight hands. We have been led to this course primarily by the fact that Ave consider that the'men discharged were not giving satisfactory service. We received a cable from our principals this morning stating that they have shipped the switchgear wo have had on order for a considerable period. This switchgear, you will remember, is to be used in connection with the Leamington, Cambridge and Hautapu sub-stations. Insulators and Transformers

We arc still having considerable difficulty in getting forward reasonable quantities of insulators. This is a matter we have taken up very fully with the suppliers, but we must confess that we are most disappointed with the results. Wc have used up all the 3000volt insulators supplied to date, and we have been informed that a large shipment is leaving Timaru by the first available steamer. Exactly when that shipment will reach here ( we cannot tell. Wo have, however, done our best to urge the suppliers to better delivery. The Cambridge sub-station is now completed, and we propose to instal at the earliest possible date the 37i k.w. transformer already in hand for this purpose. At present we are supplying Cambridge from two temporary transformers erected on the poles outside the building. The load is rapidly overtaking the capacity of these transformers, and is developing so quickly that wc find it necessary to make further provision, for it. The transformer will be transferred to the Cambridge substation and placed in commission as soon as possible. The Leamington reticulation will then be supplied from, a 5-k.w. transformer which is now being installed. Street Lighting System There is still some doubt about the arrangement of the street lighting system. You will no doubt be aware of the fact that we have in store in Cambridge the requisite transformer equipment. We would be glad if you could take iip with the Council the exact distribution of the electric street lights provided for. It will be no more expensive for us to place the lamps in the positions they require, and we would like, to havo these positions definitely fixed.

To date no less than 192 consumers are connected to your mains, and we are vory agreeably surprised with the progress of connections. We did not anticipate that the Borough people would have come on to our mains so quickly. One of the surprising features to the writers is the large number of motors in use, and this, we believe, fully justifies our action in keeping down the rates for power. Departmental Inspection

Sonic little time ago we had a visit from the Inspector from the Public Works Department. A thorough examination of the work we have completed was made, and the Inspector expressed himself as being exceedingly pleased with the way in which the work had been carried out, and this was further emphasised by the fact that we were asked to make no alterations on any account. We had not expected quite such good results, as we thought we should be very fortunate indeed if we got through with only a few alterations. We hud it very gratifying to discover that the work so far completed is entirely in accordance with the Department’s requirements, and we feel that wc should pass this information on to the Board.”