PUKEKOHE AND ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 176, 23 May 1916, Page 2

PUKEKOHE AND ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

An Interesting Report. In view of tlio possilrlity of a schemo for electric lighting considered by the Pukokoho bureugh Couui.il a report as to installations in other towns, more or less similar in size, &u., to Pukokoho, was submitted to the Council Inst Wednesday by Cr Eoidley. luter alia ho statod :

Te Aroha (population 1300).—The cost of this installation i.s out ol' reasonable proportiou to reijuiieas Te Aroha being a hoa'th resort the advertising of the t >wu is a moving factor in every question cropping up, thereby to a largo extent sacrificing the practical for tlio ideal. Yet is spits of this, To Aroha has never raised a speo'al rate for electrical supply. The original cost was £ 13,300. In the first year there were 80 consumers and last year 350, using 200,000 units per annum. Charges Gel to 2d for lighting and 2d to Id for power. Feilding (population 3500). Cost £II,OOO. Tho installation had only been in existence eight months when the returns wore mado out. 275 consumers and a small rato struck for the first year's interest (£275). Charges Od per unit for lighting and id for power. * To Kuiti (population 2000). — Original ost £7735, installed 2J years 00 consumers first year and 210 second yr,ar. Amount of current sold £IOOO per annum. Charges 8d to 5.1 for lighting and 4d to l,d for power. Shows a profit on working cost and expenses but not to cover interest on loan. Power 180 h.p. but not sufficient for refundments.

Inglewood (population 1350). — Cost of plant bought from a Company already installed £BSOO. No rate ever struck, being easily selfsupporting. Annual revenue £IBOO to £'2ooo. Water power, two turbines of 230 h.p. combined. Charges 7d lighting and 2 .Id power loss discounts.

Eketahuna (population 800) —ln use six years. Co.-t £7BOC. Number of onsumers 30 first year, 105 la->t year. A ,d rate struck every year. Charges 8d lightiug, Id power. Power Ho h.p. Ngaruawahia (population 700). — Installed two years. Cost £llOl, Number of consumers first year 13, last year 110. Lighting rate 1 [d. Charges 8(1 lighting, Id power. There is an approximate deficit of £IOO per annum after paying working expeuses, interest aud oinking fund. Cr Koadley'a conclusions were that for an expenditure of £ISOO electt ic lighting cuuld be installed in Pukokoho as there would be no building to orect if tho presont power-house was utilised aud thero was already a -10 h.p. eugino installed. Such would give sufficient power to light tho centre of tho town well. If a 00 h.p. eugino was installed in addition and the cost of the installation iucreas:d t'i £2500 tho town could bo brought up-to-dnta in lighting, and convenience "and comfort given to every householder and residont, with sufficient income securod to pay all charges, as also interest and sinking fund. Cr Eoadley also pointed out that the public lamps ('* a miserable apology for lighting") at present cost £7O per annum or equivalent to interest on a loan of £I2OO.