STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 December 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

STRATFORD LIGHTING. A VISIT TO TIIE DIESEL STATION. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Saturday, Dee. 23. Recently the writer had 'an opportunity of inspecting tlie Diesel plant and machinery,on Cloton road, now controlled by the Municipal Council. The building housing the plant is handy to the rail" way station so that those interested in the Council's latest undertaking have not far to go to see for themselves tlie plant. W-thout any knowledge of technical dets'.ils the visitor can see enough to 0011- \ fnee him chat the plant has been well looked after. Tlie fact that it is a rare occurrence now for the light to fail is also proof that the power is sufficient for the purpose. The Diesel engine is at indent capable of carrying tlig. whole load if necessary. The engineer, Mr. W. J. Newton, was on tlie premises during the inspection and courteously explained tlie many parts of a Diesel engine and t:ic manner in which the power is transmitted from machine to the consumer. Air. Newton has been over 14 years in •Stratford, and during that period has seen the Electric Company'- works grow from a small concern into one of the hi st establishments of its nature. The ■•are taken of the machinery, etc.. is evident when it is stated that the first generator at the Hydro station was set up in 1890 and the'second in IQOI, and not a coil in cither generator lias been burnt. Those conversant with electricity will appreciate that statement. The machines at this station are run in conjunction with the Diesel, the latter taking tlie overload. The smartness which the Diesel engine can transmit the current was shown in a demonstration whereby in less than 10 seconds from the time the engineer's assistant, P. Aitken. started the engine it was parallel with tlie other generator, and sending current along the mains. The fuel supplied to the engine is crude oil from the Taranaki oil wells, and Mr. Newton is well satisfied with tlie results. An ingenious heating method installed at the works reduces the oil from the semi-solid state into a fluid sufficiently thin to pass along the very small p'pes, the pump, to the cylinders, with the minimum of trouble. Indeed one learns that the Taranaki oil is particularly free from sediments and impurities. Naturally in winter the greatest demand is made on fuel oil, but just now a'cask of oil will last four evening, The Diesel engine, one of the latest patterns, installed in May, 1912, is of 200 h.p. and although it can take the full load tlie borough also possesses the two turbine sets at the Hydro station, which obviates the necessity for the Diesel doing this. To those who notice the thickness of the wires they will probably fcs> 'surprised to learn that a very high voltage can be carried along a wire no thicker than a man's hair, providing the current is sufficiently small. It is the quantity of current requiring transmissi' that demands the heavy wires one sees along the roadway, the voltage being the pusher to force the current along. From what one can see the management of the light appears to be in capable hands, and the engine and apartments bear striking testimony to the attention be-r-towed by Mr. Aitken, everything being bright and clean. Given equal opportunities tlie engineer should be capable ol obtaining tlie same results under municipal control as has been the case Under company management.

There were many friends to welcome Private "Dick" Masters home la;t evening. "Dick" was one of the batch of invalided men by the Maheno, and, considering the severe treatment he has received, is looking very wcil. His injury was caused through the bursting of a shrapnel shell, and the Stratford man's memento of the occasion was a deep scalp wound that exposed the brain. Thanks tr> a fine constitution, he withstood the injury, ar.d the long »cn voyage has further helped him along the road to health. He had a great leception at Hawera, wh're his duties at the railway station made him a popuiar servant. It will be some time before lie will be able to resume civilian duties. To-day all Stratford and residents from neighboring towns appea.-wl 'to have concentrated in Broadway. Businoss with the tradespeople was brisk, ar.d, judging by the noise made bv the youngsters, they seemeH to be having tlie day of their lives. All trains arriving here were packed with passengers. The railway officials right the line have been extremely busy, but, despite this fact and the extra shunting, they have managed to keep the trains up to something close to time-table. The running of a late' train from Stratford to New .Plymouth was a boon to many tradespeople, who made the journey North to spend a few fleeting hours at the seaside. Several Stratfor.lians are inquiring when the Ngamotu cottages will be ready for occupation, and if they are available for country visitors. Perhaps the secretary will notify these fa :ts. One of the attesting oflicers at the ■Hawera sessions informed the writer that there .were plenty of opportunities for a man failing to pass the nudical test for active service to enrol in the home service corps A lady was heard to remark that she was bewildered, and did not know what to buy for Christinas. Then she became wise, and accomplished her shopping with pleasure and ease. There was no mystery about it. She merely saw C. E. James' fancy goods shop, and her worries ceased.*

A CORKING GOOD DRINK—"CAMROC" DRY GINGER ALE. It's made from a rare Belfast recipe and ao other drink has the same subtle flavor—a great thirst quencher—you try it. At hotels and stores. 22 YOUR 'XMAS SUIT AND WHERE TO BUY IT. As in former years the Melbourne Clothing Company is Splendidly ready for the 'Xmas suit trade with the shelves and counters chock full of all that is latest and best, not forgetting plenty of the old time favorites. The past season has been a difficult one in the matter of obtaining supplies but thanks to energetic methods both in New Zealand and in London we have assembled a stock of ready-to-wear highly tailored suits second to none in the Dominion. Prices are not high as one would naturally expect, our most expensive Buit being 755, as compared with 09s 6d for similar goods before the war. Other prices range from 355, 39s Od, 49s Od, 59s Cd, up to 09s Od for suits of the very finest materials splendidly tailored and comprising such well known fabrics as Roslyn and Petone tweeds, West of England tweeds, and worsteds, homespuns, Bannockburns, fine worsteds and indigo serges and SSiiS® l gujt3. at fing pricey ■. c 1