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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 279, 21 August 1919, Page 6

Another step forward in the direction of supplying Palmerston with electric light ami power was luado last evening, when Mr. 1\ Black, consulting engineer, waited i!Don the Borough Council and submitted alternative plans for consideration. The first was for a producer plant, worked on tlie pressure principle as distinct from the suction principle adopted for smaller plants. Tile second scheme was that of the development of a power station building with details. Full provision had been iniulo to take the current from the Mangahao scheme as soon as it was completed. The engineer went into details, and iu doing so pointed out that the proposed plant would generate an alternative current, but a direct current, would be required for the tramways, and converters would have to be used, which would be necessary whichever plant was installed. Estimates of tho cost from the most recent data available were then submitted by Mr. Black. Tho cost of tho power station, complete with buildings, would be .a r i.ooo. and reticulation from .CSOO to ,£6OO nor mile. The tramway track and overhead gear would probably cost between 030,000 and cEGO.OOO. Cars of the latest pattern, with bodies to suit New Zealand, would run about J)2000 each, and us seven would be required, this would mean *CH,OIMI, and the necessary buildings for the cars ,tWO. This made a total cost of installing the trams of about .£75.000. The cost of reticulation would bo about J.'10,000, while tho lighting scheme would cost about .£27,1)00. This mado '.he grand tola! neccssary to raise .£12"), OIK), compared with tho iSG.OOO previously estimated. After some discussion. in which it was mentioned that there was a proposal to go in for a loan of .£200.000 lor improvements to the borough, including the electrical scheme, it was decided to refer the matter to a meeting of ratepayers to be held ou Tuesday next, |