FATAL FALL FROM DRAY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 209, 29 May 1920, Page 7

FATAL FALL FROM DRAY

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, May 23. . ' W. Emmett, who ted been at the Sunnyside Mental Hospital for o'.evon years, fell from a dray in the institution grounds to-<lay and was killed.

Harriß "Street for storage of 'at -least 1400 tons of coal without securing 1 extra ground, and. as we have eventually to depelid. on this as .the standby, plant when the hydro-electric K'hcme comes in, t-liii should be amply sufficient. Should'further' reserve stocks bo required, I would suggest that. a site in a locality whoro land is much cheaper should bo obtained.

"Sinco making our previous report wo have received evidence that progress is being made at Mangahao, and everything points to our getting a supply of hydroelectricity in at least four years. Coriqucntly all wo' should do is provide for the . incrcaEed load during that period. Tho 'increase during tho past four years litis been' 1500 k.w„ or at tho rate of 375 k.w. per annum; so that if we provide for another 1500 k.w. wo should bo right, but I propose to install another 3000 k.w. in two units of 1500 k.w. In this connection it must bq remembered that our principal shortage has been in boiler capacity. "I am' pleased to see you point out tho urgency of the situation, and surely this gives tho Harris Street site ■ prefer-, enco. At the present timo alterations aro being.mado in Harris Street—foundations are down l'or two boilers, and they have to be pushed on with whatever happenstlius enhancing the value of tho Harris Street site.

"In making your comparison or tno coßts of the two sites I must admit that I am at.a loss to follow your arguments oil land values. I will admit that it shows the scheme in a very" favourable light, but I would point out that the land is held on lease, and we pay rental for 6ame. Tho land is not the property of cither department, to be used as a debit or credit to any scheme.

"In my opinion the proper and Just method to arrive at a comparison ia as follows

"Harris Street rental. £1350; Harris Street rates, £632; Jcrvois Quay .rental, £1330 i Jcrvois' Quay rates, £475; total, £3787.

"Evans Bay.—lnterest of £5000 at 5 per cent, £250; rates (estimated), £50; proportion of Harris Street situ used as offices, etc., £500; proportion of Jcrvois Quay.used as Biib-station, £500; total, £1300.

"Cost of running maina to convey current from Evauß Bay to Harris Street. £40,000. 10 per cent, interest, depreciation, etc.. £4000; total. £53W.

"This shows that it will cost the cUy £1515 per annum more for Emails Hay than for the two city sites. Furthermore, when the hydro scheme is available the Jer»ois Quay site could be released, and a. further saving of £1605 per annum effected. "Further, iu your estimates 'lUownncr is made for the disposal value of old plant. I consider it unfair to allow for this, us the disposal value should bo common, and there is every probability that when the plant is available for disnosal the prices to be obtained will not be oue-half of what could bo obtained today. An important Point. "If it is decided to erect a new power house at, Kvaus Hay it would necessitate a. period during which we would nave three power houses in operation, and by the time the change over' v;aa completed .we should have the power from llaugaAuio, when all three power houses would be shut down. "Another objection I have In the Evans Hay ' site, is tho faet that your stiifT would only be of use for emergencies, whereas if Harris Street is adopted the same staff which operate flic converter station and workshon. would be available for running the piant_w!i'en necessary. "In view of the above circumstances, I recommend that plant be procured at once and installed in Harris Street. The estimated cost of same is £tßS,fflO- The cost of Crawford Koad sub-station will bo £19,000. , "From my. method of reckoning there is n difference iu capital cost in favour of Karris Street of £176,500. <iltho>j;;li I must point out that more plant is allowed for in tho Evans Bay schemo. This is neces' sary if you change khe lute. Should my suggestions he tidc-pletl, we Bluill, when the hydro ecliemo comes in. havo a plant, in Harris Street of 7000 k.w. This is allowing for the 1000 k.w. turbine at tho tramway power station being shifted to Harris Street; and this will surety form a magnificent staudby. plant for many years, to come."