SUMNER ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16267, 18 July 1918, Page 8

SUMNER ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION.

CURRENT TURNED ON

The official turning on ceremony in connexion with the electric current at Sumner was held at toe Oadena 'iea Rooms last nigbt, when the Mayor (the Hon. John Burr) presided over a large gathering, comprising borough councaloxs, ex-Mayors, representatives of public boaies, ana prominent citizens. Messrs L. iiirks, lirey, and iJrooKs, of the i/übiic Works iiiiectrical Department, were also present. Tno Mayor, alter having turned the current on, said the .long-looked-ior electric light waa now an established fact. Sumner was a progressive borough, and its progress was sure. In the Ifcedciiffs portion of the district electricity had been used for some time, and it was a paying proposition. At present there were 157 houses connected in Iledclitfs, and it was the results obtained there that had paved' the way for the extension of the current to Sumner. Residents and ratepayers need have no fear that the gas would not continue'to pay; gas and electricity would pay side by side. He expressed the hope that in the near future the Government would erect a standby plant in the borough in case of a breakdown. When the proposed new ( drainage scheme was finished, considerable current would bo required in connexion with the working, and there was every prospect of tho loading being equally distributed. When the whole of the installation had been completed, there was every prospect of the price being lowered. Tne speaker then paid a tribute to Mr Birks and the officers of' the Public Works Department for the manner in which they bad pushed the work along.

Mr L. Birks expressed appreciation of the Mayor's remarks, and congratulated the Sumner Borough (Council on the way it had administered electrical matters in Redcliffs during the past year. It was not, as a rule, estimated that any electrical supply would pay during the first year or so, but he saw by tho municipal account that the the Council had made a profit of £93 on the year's working at Redcliffs. This was extremely satisfactory, and he congratulated those concerned on the success of the installation. *Mr O. W. C. Smithson fex-Mayor) said that during his term of office he had been instrumental in getting the gas plaiit installed. The lighting had been good since then, but he. was pleased ta see the introduction of electricity. Mr H. Buttle (chairman of the Burgesses' Association) congratulated the Council and the Public Works "Deportment on the speedy and businesslike manner in which tho work had been carried out. Messrs H. J. Marriner (ex-Mnvor), E Denhnu (ex-Mayor), and Mr Grey, of the P.WJX, also spoke. Lipht refreshments were handed round.