CITY LIGHTING

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 39, 15 August 1919, Page 8

CITY LIGHTING

■♦■ REPORT TO BE OBTAINED. The matter of the shortage of coal and its bearing on the electric lighting system is one which has been exercising the minds, not only of those who control the coal supplj, but also the City Council. The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), speaking to a Post reporter to-day, said he had recently received a communication from the Hon. A. M. Myers on the subject, urging that the strictest economy in reg Kurd! to coal consumption should be practised. The Corporation, Mr. Luke added', had for a. long time been practising the strictest economy, and the notices he had had' sent out on behalf of the City Council, asking that all superfluous lighting, including illuminations at picture theatres, etc.,. should be "cut out" ; in fact, that in all cases where lighting was not essential it should be done away with, had met with a ready response. The people had been most helpful in the ■matter. Mr. Luke went on to say that a cleaner cut in regard to lighting could be made if it was absolutely necessary, but the main thing to consider, along wdth. the efficiency of the lighting-station, was the means of generation by turbines. In this connection he pointed out that the maximum efficiency is obtained from the. turbine. when it is working at its maximum capacity, and any restriction, instead of being a saying, would be the reverse. In this respect the turbine was unlike the ordinary reciprocating engines, which, when throttled up, were more economical in consumption. While due care was taken td see that the turbine was not overworked, the economical position was to get out of the machine its maximum output, having due regard to the consumption of coal.

In reply to a query, the Mayor agreed: that the suggestion was fairly current that) more could be done at the lighting station by the utilisation of the machinery which was in use there before the installation of the turbine. If the three vertical reciprocating generating plant or Curtis turbine could be utilised' tho output could be about 30 per cent, greater than at present, but the whole trouble at the station was steam, and until further boiler pressure could be obtained no relief in this direction would be forthcoming. The boiler which had' been on order for a very long time was now, however, on the water, and expected shortly, and relief would be obtained on its installation.

A further disability, Mr. Luke explained, in regard to the provision of more lights and current in houses; where installations have already been made, was the difficulty in obtaining the. necessary outside material. This position was likely to clear in the near future, when the council would be in a position to moro fully supply the demands. The whole question of the electric lighting station was referered to by the Mayor at a special, committee meeting yesterday afternoon. . The meeting endorsed Mr. Luke's request that a comprehensive .report on. the position should be obtained from the engineer.