TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 57, 9 March 1937, Page 3

TAIHAPE

COMMUNITY LIGHTING • Discussing the proposed new com..unity lighting scheme with a •‘Chronicle” representative yesterday, (he electrical engineer, Mr. S. J. M. Ewart, pointed out that it was riot generally realised that for a few pence extra per month, shopkeepers could have a window light a.s well as the existing verandah light. The new scheme had many advantages, one of the chief advantages being a cheap and most effective advertising medium that would entice the public 4o inspect window displays of an evening, i including Sunday. Mr. Ewart went on to say that a ost had been conducted one Saturday night when the verandah lights had been turned off, so that the effect of window lights only could be observedThe test had proved a failure due to the following reasons: (1) The notice was too short—a number of the shopkeepers did not know that the lights were arranged to be put off (some advised me on the Monday they thought the fuse had niown); (2) some of the window lights were put out before the test; (3) at 9 o'clock the majority of window lights were switched off promptly, whereas the test was arranged to continue until 9.5 p.m. Under‘the circumstances I switched the lights on before the time. The majority of shopkeepers were unaware of this test as 15 only attended the retailers’ meeting, but I understood the others were to be notified. 1 also wish to advise that every shopkeeper is not a member of the Retailers’ Association. One prominent shopkeeper suggested that a public meeting of the business people should meet the electric light committee. 1 did not request another test as it appears some alterations are necessary to the original scheme. It has been suggested: (1) That the lights be on at 5 o’clock instead of 6.30 during winter. Due to our peak at this hour and low charges offered 6.30 was suggested. I recommend 5.15 p.m., the 15 minutes to allow most of the business load to drop, and 9 o'cloeck Saturdays. (It will be nnted that the closing hour is now 5 instead of 5.30 p.m., so that our peak will not alter much). (2) That the verandah lights remain: “I cannot recommend that these lights be free, but possibly some reduction could be made to those who instal window lights (I suggested at one stage that the lights may be supplied free late night only, but the lights are desired every night). The verandah lights could then be straightened, to advantage. (3) That the council do the wiring free. I cannot, under any conditions recommend this because we have no trading department or in any case any of the staff to spare, but I would suggest where a contractors price is high and will retard progress that we recommend the work at our estimate.” I recommend the council to supply the relays free and remain the property of the council, as detailed under. I did not have in mind at first to have two schemes, in any case the poles will not carry an extra feeder. I also intended to use the existing verandah conduits, therefore I must submit another system of control. As running another set of heavy feeders is impossible, I suggest that the remote controlled system of relays be used; that is a relay is installed in each shop controlled by a light pilot wire which is run back to the workshop and in turn is controlled by a time switch.

Mr. Ewart will be only too pleased to elucidate any further points in connection with the scheme and give particulars regarding the exact cost, etc., and any other information that may be required. GENERAL NEWS The following are the results of the bullock weight-judging competition at the recent Taihape Show:— No. 1 Bullock.—Correct weight 1233 lbs. Ist: N. Batchelor 12331b5. 2nd: E. W. Spooner 1233Ubs. No. 2 Bullock.—Correct weight 1056 lbs. Ist: E. R. Jackson 10781 bs. 2nd: W. C. Gregory 10201bs. Combined Correct Weight.—22B9lbs. Ist: J. N. Jacobsen 22871b5. Equal 2nd: W. Bell and J. McHardy 22721b5. GOLF NOTES '.By “Fairway." > Preparations are well in hand for the opening of the Raukura links on March 20. Members will notice many improvements to the links when they start wielding the old driver (or maybe the new one) in a fortnight's time. Working bees have been busy of late with the result that the links are in better order for this time of the year than ever before. The club’s new quintuple mower has been used to cut the fairways, which should be in great order by March 20 considering the early opening day. All the fences surrounding the greens have been removed; the hazards have been defined. No. 8 hazard has been improved by means of drainage and will no longer prove a “death trap” to those who just tail to carry it with a drive; a new shed has been erected to house the club's plant and equipment; seats have been erected at each tee. so that one can sit in comfort while one’s partner is driving, and visualise just where one's own drive will land. Joking apart, these seats will prove a great boon to golfers. One member with a keen sense of humour has created a new “hazard” which members will doubtless learn ail about when they visit the links. The president (Mr. T. C. Kincaid) and the secretary (Mr. J. P. Mortland) have figured most prominently m every working party that has been engaged on the links, and the fact that this season is the first occasion on which the club has been saved the expense of employing extra labour to get the links in order for the opening of the season, speaks volumes for the efforts of our worthy president and secretary and those who have assisted them. The writer turned up last week-end to participate in the “hard labour,” but was glad to return at lunch time with blistered hands and ruffled composure, firmly convinced that working on the Taihape golf links is no sinecure. An invitation to join the "working bee” next week-end was received with—well, I will leave it to your imagination just how such an invitation was received.

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