PUKEKOHE'S ELECTRIC LIGHT.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 276, 18 May 1917, Page 2

PUKEKOHE'S ELECTRIC LIGHT.

Installation Near at Hand.

Mr E. J. Fenn, the Council's Electrical Engineer, was in attendance at the meeting of the Pukekohe Borough Council last Wednesday evening and reported that the wire and further poles had now arrived in Auckland and that steps should be taken for the work to be commenced. He asked for authority to engage the necessary staff and enquired if it was the Council's wish that the water and electrical staffs should be regarded as one.

The Mayor replied that the Council had not considered the question but were open to suggestion. Mr Fenn pointed out that Mr Wyatt wan already the Engineer and that any electrician would be as an assistant to'him. It would bt> necessary to appoint an overseer to superintend the work, one experienced pole-man and an electrician for work in the power station. With those men he thought they could then utilise unskilled labour and probably work could be started on Monday week. Cr Patterson questioned the qualifications of the pole-man and Mr Fenn informed him that he would be a working foreman. Cr Barter asked if certain skill was required in putting the poles up and Mr Fenn answered in the affirmative.

Cr Armstrong said the Council wanted good experienced men. Cr Patterson : "Yes, but we don't want to have a dozen foremen." Cr Hamilton asked when Mr Fenn thought light would be supplied and was told in about three months' time but it all depended on the labour available. After some further discussion the Mayor proposed and Cr Bilkey seconded, that Mr Fenn should be authorised to proceed with the erection of the wire, poles, switchboard and dynamo, and to engage an electrician at £3 15s per week for the erection work in the power house, a foreman at £4 per week to supervise the erection of the poles, an Overseer for one month at £6 per week to supervise the whole of the work, and the necessary number of unskilled labourers Cr Patterson was not satisfied in regard to the foreman. He contended that if they were going to get a foreman he should be able to instruct the other men. " What," said Cr Patterson, " would he be doing whilst the other men were working ?" Mr Fenn replied that he would be busy pegging out the line, seeing that the poles were put in their proper positions and would be exceedingly busy. Cr Patterson thought any ordinary man could put the poles up. Crs Hamilton and Armstrong pointed out that experienced men were necessary.

Cr Armstrong regarded the suggestions of their Engineer as good and urged that they should appreciate what Mr Fenn had done in provisionally arranging for three skilled men. He regarded Mr Fenn's scheme as satisfactory.

The Mayor's motion was carried and it was decided that a committee consisting of the Electric Lighting Committee, with Cr Bilkey, should meet the Engineer with a view to arranging where the lamps should be erected.

Cr Barter enquired if the Seddon monument could be lighted and was informed by Mr Fenn that this could bo done but it would be more advisable to remove the monument as he preferred a lamp higher than the monument would provide. Cr Bilkey did not favour the suggestion of removing the monument.

The Engineer at this stage retired and Cr Patterson said he was not satisfied with one of the remarks of Mr Fenn relative to the engine and his (Mr Fenn's) consultation with Mr Wyatt (the Waterworks Engineer) Cr Patterson hinted that there was a " big commission behind it all."

The Mayor advised Cr Patterson that if folk talked too much they would get into trouble and it was better to say little. At a later stage in the meeting Cr Barter suggested that tho Seddon yoniorial should be removed as the site was dangerous since several roads converged thero and a clear view could not be obtained by approaching vehicles. Hp suggested that the matter should be referred to the Lighting Committee. The Mayor thought tho Memorial might be moved to near the Presbyterian Church.

Cr Stembridgo urged that the removal should be carried out at once as it was a dangerous spot Tho question of the removal was | roforred to the Lighting Committee. |