LIGHTING TE KOITI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 499, 11 September 1912, Page 6

LIGHTING TE KOITI.

MUNICIPAL ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION.

The following report on the light

ing scheme for Te Kuiti furnished by Mr S. Irwin Crookes, electrical engineer, conveys an exact knowledge or the projected work, and should be of interest to all ratepayers:—■ In my report of April 13th, 1912. I outlined two estimates for supplying light and power to the town. These estimates allowed for 60 h.p. plant and about six miles of mains. The estimated cost of the more expensive scheme was £5900, Subsequent to this I was instructed to prepare spe cifications and drawings and obtain tenders. Shortly before the tenders were advertised I received further in-

I structions from the council stating that they proposed utilising electric power to drive their stone crusher. This necessitated an additional 25 h.p. being provided. Further to this the area to be supplied was extended so as to include a little over seven miles of distribution, that is to say all the houses within the seven miles of streets would be able to be connected to the supply. Naturally this added demand for power meant an increase in the cost of installation. The specification was finally modified to meet these (requirements and tenders were then invited for a scheme fully 50 per cent, greater in power than the original scheme and about 20 per cent, greater area to be supplied. It should also be noted that since the specification was started, the price of copper which is one of the most important elements in any electrical contract has increased from £65 to £Bl per ton. On account of the great coal strikes and dock strikes in England and the consequent disorganisation of engineering business, machinery from England has been increased in price 10 to 15 per cent.

In view of the facts thus stated above the tenders that were actually received were highly satisfactory. The firms which tendered for the supply of power plant and distribution system, including; street lighting, were:—Messrs Jas. J. Niven and Co., £7644; E. J. Fenn, £6700; Messrs Turnbull and Jones, £6226 10s; Messrs A. and T. Burt, Ltd., £5998

16s. The whole of the preceeding tenders allowed for capper distribution mains. The specifications called for an alternative price in connection with aluminium cables. The two last tenderers quoted on this alternative, their prices being as follows: Messrs Turnbull and Jones. £5585 10s; Messrs A. and T. Burt, Ltd., £5495. The tender of Messrs A. and T. Burt for the installation of aluminium cable was accepted by the council. In addition to the above various tenders were received from the builders in Te Kuiti for the erection of the power station building. Thn lowest tenderer was Mr Fullerton, whose tender of £750 has been accepted.