DISASTER AT POWER HOUSE.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 691, 9 December 1921, Page 5

DISASTER AT POWER HOUSE.

ELECTRICITY SERVICE DISORGANISED. TEMPORARY ENGINE TO BE INSTALLED.' POSSIBLY LIGHT FOR CHRISTMAS. » EVERYTHING POSSIBLE BEING < DONE. The Borough electric service has been somewhat irregular during the last few months, but a reall climax .was reached, abruptly, on Friday about midnight. Since the breakdown of the 75-horse power engine, the 45 horse power engine, which was installed for pumping water about 10 years ago, has been “doing” the water and electric light loads. However,, the strain was too great, and on Friday night the combustion chamber blew out, due to the gudgeon pin bolts breaking. The portion damaged is the rear) part of the engine. The breakdown caused the whole electric light! system and water works to be completely disorganised. As soon as the extent of the damage \yas communicated to the Mayor (Mr John Routly) this official at once moved in the matter of obtaining temporary plan)!, an<f he placed an order for a National gas engine, which i,s. ah present if: Gisborne, to cost £975. This engine will develop about 10 h.p. more than the one which just broke. The Mayor reported his actions to the Council at its meeting on Monday evening, and said the case was an urgent one. The engine wa<s a good one, and he 'thought he had acted in the right direction. They had received a. ’phone message that evening to the effect that the engin’3 was being shipped: to Napier at once. |t would be a day or so before it arrived, and it would take about a week to: install.. Power should be available in a fortnight. He asked the Council to approve of his action.

Cr Patterson moved, and Cr Kennelly seconded, tha't,the Council endorses Ithe action of the Mayor, and that he be commended for the prompt action he has taken in the matter.—Carried.

THE “LAME” ONES TO BE RE-

PAIRED.

The question of the repairs to the broken down engines was discussed. The big engine, fthe 75 h.p., was badly damaged some time ago. The crank shaft broke clue to a flaw in the shaft. It was pointed ou|i by the Mayor that the necessary fittings to repair the engine would cost about £450, then there was the cost of fitting them. When this, engine was repaired the 44 horse power engine which was now in running order, could be disposed, of,. It was decided, on the motion of the Mayor, to have the repairs effected to the 75 h.p. engine forthwith, and tha\: the 44 horse power engine b’e placed in Messrs Niven and Co’s hands for disposal. With reference to the 43 h.p. engine, which broke down on Friday, the Mayor said a combustion chamber could be delivered here in about two and a ha,lf months. When this came to hand and wap fitted on the engine w r ou!d be a creditable article. He moved that the necessary fittings for the engine be phrced on order, and also that the engfhe be placed in the hands of Messrs Niven and Co. for sale. Seconded by Cr Armstrong and carried.

The Mayor said that with the new 120 horse power 3-cvlinder engine, which was on order, the 75 horse power engine, which was to be repaired;, and the 55 h.p. engine which was on its way from Gisborne, they would have a plant which would assure the electric' supply for some time. He regretted the present position, but pointed out’ that everything possible that coulld be .lone was and would be done 'to overcome the difficulty.

The dismantling of the engine, which gave out on Friday, is proceeding, and a permanent concrete bed for the engine from Gisborne is beingconstructed as rapidly as possible, aO that as soon as this engine arrives installation will be pushed on with the minimum delay.

The Mayor has stated that power would probably he available in a fortnight, which means that there may be /light on December 19th. It must be remembered that machinery is a difficult thing to handle., and even if the engine from Gisborne is a firstclass one, it may take a few days before she is got into good running order, which is usally Ithe case when machinery is dismantled and re-as-sembled. However, we trust that the Mayor is correct in his assumption that power will be available in a fortnight. LIGHT FOR CHRISTMAS The question '.that is being and which is concerning the bu.-rnes.-,

people is will there be light for Christmas Eve.

Cr Pattenson asked when the business people would get light. He suggested that business premises remain open until 7 pjm. on Friday before Christmas Day, and also a full djay on the Saturday. This would assist them over ithe difficulty as far as Ithe electric light for Christmas Eve is concerned. If the people combined 1 the business people would not lose a great deal through the irregular lighting seiyice. He contended that as Christmas Eve was on the Saturday,' it was against the interests of the town to have the late night on Friday night. In reply to Cr Patterson , the Mayor said the electric light would probably be reinstated for Christmas Eve, unless, of course, something radically wrong happened.