NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1918, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER'S REPORT. Mr. R. H. Bartley (borough electrical engineer and manager) reports at follows; TRAMWAYS. The records for the month are! Main Line Route.—Mileage run, 15,268f passengers carried, 131,640; revenue per car mile, 13.3 pence; passengers per car mile, 8.6; average fare per passenger, 1.5 pence; total fares, £B5l Is 6d. Morley Street Route.—Mileage run, 2306; passengers carried, 14,902; revenue per car mile, 0.2 pence; passengers per car mile, 6.4; average fare per passenger, 1.5 pence; total fares, £BB 8s 10d. Combined Routes.—Mileage run, 17,574; passengers carried, 146.551; revenue j*r car mile, 12.8 pence; passengers per car mile, 8.3; average fare per passenger, 1.5 pence; total fares, £939 10s 3d. Comparing the above records with those of December, 1916, the main route increase is £36 12s 9d, the Morley street increase £1 ss, and the total increase £37 17s fld. The total passengers carried during December, 1916, were 124,830, and during December, 1917, 146,551, an increase of 21,921. The above results are satisfactory, but would, no doubt, have been better had excursion fares on the > railways been available, and weather conditions more favorable during the holidays. lam glad to be able to report that throughout the holiday traffic no tramway accidents have occurred. The plant and equipment has been subjected to some hard work, and is, generally speaking, running veiy well. The issue of workmen's concession tickets was commenced on December 3, and to date 153 have been issued, the value of same being £l4 13s 6d. ELECTRIC LIGHTING DEPARTMENT. During the month 19 applications for supply have been received, and 16 connections have been made; also <6 additions. The supply has been maintained constantly throughout the month, and I have no irregularities to report. Owing to a very large accumulation of sand, leaves, moss and other vegetable matter, which almost completely blocked the filter screens, and prevented their being rotated, it was found necessary to empty and clean the forebay. The plant was accordingly closed down between the hours of midnight and 2 a.m. on December 15 last, to permit of this work being done. I am advised by the National Electrical Company that the new alternator for the hydro-electric extensions is now in Wellington, N.Z., and will be delivered at our power house very shortly. This completes the electrical gear to bo delivered as per contract, but I have received' no information re the turbine, other than that ft -"wnoleted and-awaiting shipment, la