PUKEKOHE'S NEW ILLUMINANT

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 316, 5 October 1917, Page 3

PUKEKOHE'S NEW ILLUMINANT

Electric Lighting Commenced. With the switching on of the electric current at 6 45 o'clock last Wednesday evening the electric lighting of Pukekohe was formally inaugurated and immediately the whole town was transformed from a state of darkness into light. In the main streets groups of townspeople could hs seen admiring Pukekohe. under lighting conditions not before experienced and the comment was one of gemral appreciation. The public lamps in King street, nine in number, each of 300 candle power, were particularly brilliant and on this point it may be mentioned that the illumination which they now afford will in no way be dimmed as the outcome of private connections with the cables. To the Borough Council, as the originators of the lighting scheme, and more particularly to Mr E. J. Fenn, the Electrical Engineer who was responsible for its design, congratulations are due that Pukekohe is now in possession of a system of lighting that in its modest way is not excelled by any other installation in the Dominion. All the most modern devices have been taken advantage of and the equipment is one of which Pukekohe may well be proud. The ceremony of bringing the light into operation was performed in the presence of the full Council at the Power house, the Mayor (Mr H. G. K. Mason) switching on the current for houre and business installations and Mr A. B Baiter, Chairman of the Lighting Committer, manipulating the switch that put the street lamps into action. An adjournment was then made to Messrs Frank Perkins and Co's establishment in King street where the Mayor, in the company of the Councillors and other citizens, switched on the lighting to Mr Frank Perkins' premises amid applause. Afterwards the gathering took the form of a social evening over which the Mayor (Mr H. G. R. Mason) presided. The Mayor, in proposing the toast of the Electrical Engineer, paid a high tribute to his capabilities. That night, said the Mayor, denoted a very distinct step forward in the progress of Pukekohe and Mr Fenn deserved thanks for the way in which the work had been so satisfactorily carried out. —The health of Mr Fenn was then most heartily drunk. Mr Fenn, in replying to the toast, hoped that his work would prove all the Mayor anticipated. Mr Fenn regretted that owing to the services of Mr W. L. Cutten, his assistant, being required at the Power station that night Mr Cutten was unable to be present with th.m as a great deal of the success of the undertaking was due to his faithful servii ea. Ho took that opportunity of expressing his appreciation of Mr Cutten's conscientious work. Proceeding, Mr Fenn said the Borough was now starting on a now phase of municipal work in a modest way by reason of the demands of the war; otherwise a larger scheme would have boon formulated. In this connection Mr Fenn mentioned that accumulators would have been provided but for the exigencies of the war and ditliculty of obtaining materials Tins, Mr Fenn explained, meant that by working on one plant there was a slight risk. Later on ar. order for a set of accumulators would lie executed and then the mains could bo extended into the less populated parts of the district, lu passing, lie mentioned the many uses which could bu made of the electrical power such is the driving of milking machines and household appliances but ihe.-m wml I have to be considered later Il< wished the undertaking eoinol-:"

prosperity. Mr Bjrif-r l.rieily su|i[i-.it':<l tli« reference mde to Mi L'uttou'.-) services which bo aa Chdirmau <>i' the Lighting Comin : tt") espoiiilly idcognised,

Cr Stembndge in proposing the toast of the "Prosperity of Pukekohe and the Electric Lighting Scheme '' said he was quite satisfied that the scheme would be a success and hoped that the people would take every advantage of the various systems of electricity. The Mayor spoke optimistically of the scheme and hoped to see it developed to the utmost so that every appliance will be utilised His Worship then referred to the revision of the waterworks which was in part completed. Mr Wyatt, tne Engineer, had effected a change so that a new reservoir had been brought into use and the scheme as reorganised by Mr Wyatt was now capable of being used continuously. Cr Armstrong then proposed the health of the late Council who, he said, despite differences of opinion, were imbued with one idea to promote the township in every way. Mr J. Beatty, in reply, wished every success to the undertaking. Mr J. Fenn next proposed the health of Cr Barter, Chairman of the Lighting Committee. He referred in eulogistic terms to the courtesy always shown him by Mr Barter. Cr Barter in reply said that whatever he had done was a pleasure. Mr J. F. Deane, Town Clerk, proposed the health of Mr F. Perkins and in doing so said it was particularly appropriate that the private lighting had been inaugurated on Mr Perkins' premises that evening as he was the first resident to have his premises wired. He congratulated him on the lavish scale in which he had installed the electric light, such forming an example for other property owners to- follow.— The toast was enthusiastically received. Mr Perkins, in reply, said that he was more than ever satisfied that the prosperity of Pukekohe was assured. He paid a tribute to the present Council and to those who during the past two or three years had thought well to make a " plunge." He trusted that the Council's various works would prove in every way a success. Continuing, Mr Perkins* said that when he first started business about six years ago his rates were about £6 a year whereas he was now paying about £IOO for rates. " But," said the speaker, " I would sooner pay rates than have the mud." He wished the Council in every way a prosperous future. This concluded the proceedings.

The following streets comprise the public lighting area, viz : King, West, Harris, Seddon, Edinburgh, East, Hall and Victoria Streets, Prospect Terrace, Manukau Boad, and Harrington Avenue. For the prrsent the light will be available up to 10 p.m. each evening but it is anticipated that this time will be extended shortly. The work of connecting shops and private houses is proceeding in King street and already several premises have been connected.