BOROUGH ELECTRICAL WORKS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 241, 11 April 1912, Page 8

BOROUGH ELECTRICAL WORKS

REPORT BY THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER.

A further report has been prepared by Mr. H. Black, electrical engineer, on the ■borough electrical undertaking. After recalling the history of the works since their dnitiation in 1906 the engineer goes on to state that in order to largely increase its capacity it was imperative that the plant should be added to. Accordingly, in July, 1911, a tender was accepted for a new generator designed to give 250 k.v.a. at 6000 volts, the intention being to transmit current at this voltage from the power house to the sub-station or a point as near thereto as could be arranged with the Government. This contract is part of a comprehensive scheme of extension which is proposed to be carried out as required. The report outlines various improvements in hand and suggested, reference to which has been previously made. Regarding the building extension it states: "This wiJl be an addition of "28 feet, making the length of the machine room 88ft. fiin. There is also a bay at one side of the old machine room, 49ft. in length by Cft. 9in. in depth, to give room for the cell work of the high tension switchgear. The additions to buildings are in reinforced concrete."

Referring to the transmission line, Mr. Black remarks: "Current at present is being transmitted from the power station <to the sub-station in town at 2000 volts, but as the line losses will be too heavy when the load increases, it has been arranged, as already indicated, that the voltage be raised to 6000. For this purpose special insulations -will be required and other alterations made to the line, and either special cables employed from John street into town or step-down transformer installed at some convenient point, and heavier cables used to convey current from that point to the sub-station. Two transformers have been procured for use at the powerhouse. Sub-station: This building has for a long time been far too small for requirements, but owing to the fact that it 'had been built on the street and would have eventually to be removed, additions have been delayed. This work would b'ave been urged before but for the fact that tramway proposals were being considered, and it was thought advisable, if possible, to combine lighting and tramway sub-station in one building on the land acquired from the Railway Department for that purpose. The tramway sub-station will require room for switchboard, motor generators, boosters and battery, and, if possible, the car sheds and repair shops should be on the same site, so as to keep down the cost of supervision as low as possible. Extra office room will be required in .connection with the tramways, and this should, if possible, be at the car sheds, where tlie men start and finish their work. It is on account of these considerations that the extension of the sub-station has not been urged before, but some additional accommodation should be provided as early as .possible."

Enormous crops of fruit are reported from every orchard in Hawke's Bay, in pleasing contrast to the poor yield of last season. Insufficient labor has been obtainable to can half the quantity of fruit coming in from itlie orchards. As a result of this scarcity of labor at least half the fruit crops liave been sent to the fruit markets instead of to the canning factory. The number at present employed at the Frimley works Is not half that for whom work eould have been found, there being employment for about 300 hands all the year round. A phenomenon of a very unusual character <is reported from Balclutha, The easterly rain had fallen more or less heavily all the forenoon, increasing to a downpour later on. Subsequently the ground was found to be thickly covered in places -with a small jellyfish-like substance, the largest about the size and shape of the nail on the little finger. They disappeared in an hour or two. They were semi-transparent, like blobs I of jelly, and are said to be the lowest form of animal life. A possible theory is that 'they were the outcome of a marine upheaval in mid-ocean and had been caught up in some terrific storm. _ A resident of Sydney writes to a relative in Auckland: "Although wages are high, the cost of living is gettiug a terrible burden on the bread-winner. I really think that, on the whole, the worker was better off some years ago with lower wages. Everything has gone up; at the restaurants nothing is supplied under a shilling, and articles that formerly were not charged for are no longer given in. The public say that every award that is made is only a prelude to higher demands. The purchasing value of money is less than it was by a good deal, as the workers and their wives are finding out day by day. Every indication points to a still higher cost of living ia the near future."