TAXED TO ITS UTMOST

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 21, 19 October 1917, Page 7

TAXED TO ITS UTMOST

PLANT AT THE ELECTRICAL POWER .-" : STATION. In the course of his annual report. Mr. W H. Morton, general manager oB the Citv Tramways and Electric Lighting Departments, says:-"AVith the exception of the installation of a large water-tube boiler, no additional plant was added to tho power station during tho past jear, and in consequence the boiler and generating plant has -frequently been taxed to its utmost in coping with tho increased demand during the rush hours ol traffic. It speaks well for the efficiency and maintenance of tho plant that it has responded to the demands upon it with only a few minor mishaps. : "As far as can be ascertained, on recount of the conditions prevailing at Home,' very little ..progress has been made by the contractors far the turbine, plant ordered .early in 1916. Tho local Munitions Board has been approached on several occasions with a view to cfc>taining permission of the Impenal authorities to permit work on the # plant being expedited, and it is anticipated that soma improvement may result. ■ "At the outbreak of the war there was n fair margin of plant ■in the power station,' and as it appeared more than likely that tho business of the department would be considerably reduced instead of being' abnormally increased, it was not then considered advisable to placo an order for additional plant. Tho output of tho station increased from G,-143,59S units in tho year of the cutbreak of war, 1914-15, to 5,695,990 units for the year ended March 81, 1917—an increase of over 50 per cent. . "The question of providing additional plant to meet requirements after the .waf and during the period which must elapse before u hydrc-eloctno supply c- 8 " become an established fact presents many difficulties, and is at present under consideration.

"Although it has heen necessary on account of tho shortage of plant m the power station rather to restvict than encourage a demand for direct current power during the past year, over thirty new connections, with motors aggregating 554 horse-power, have been.added to the 500-volt direct current mains. "There are now. 318 .consumers, with motors totalling 4,612. horse-power, connected to this supply. On account of. the large increase in the cost of generation, due to an advance in the prico ot coal of about 33 per cent., and to higher wages now naid to the power station staff, it is evident that at an early date some revision in the existing tariff will be imperative if tho supply is to remain self-supporting." /