RESTRICTED SUPPLIES

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20915, 21 September 1939, Page 5

RESTRICTED SUPPLIES

ELECTRICITY CONSTRUCTION EFFECT ON BOROUGH WORKS At a meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council last night the town clerk, Mr W. L. Waddel, reported that, pursuant to the Electricity Emergency Regulations, the Electricity Controller had given notice that, among other things, from September 5, no new construction work was to be undertaken unless Orst a,-proved and authorised by the controller, and that it might be necessary in the near future to order some cassation of work in order to conserve stocks of materials, none of which were to be issued or sold without the prior consent of the controller. The proposed Improvements to street lighting, the underground cable works and the erection of new transformers which it was proposed to carry out during the next 18 months, and all maintenance work might be materially affected by the necessity for conserving stocks and carrying out jobs for defensive purposes. When the position was clarified detailed information would he made available to the council. The report was received. Gasworks Difficulties A letter from the gasworks engineer, Mr L. Pickering touched on the supplies of pipes and stated that, owintj to the altered conditions brought about by the war, it was thought advisable not to apply for an import license. The steel pipe would now be used for the Grey, Cook and Albert Streets extensions. Tenders were being invited for the new holder, said the engineer, and the present condition of world affairs would, no doubt, have a considerable effect on that class of equipment. It was, therefore, suggested that the closing of tenders be deferred for six months and that the tenderers be advised. The Mayor, Mr H. B. Caro, moved that the council act in terms of the engineer’s report. The Mayor’s motion was carried. Alterations at Gasworks “I regret that the council has not seen fit to bring down a report in connection wi-th the gasworks, as was , prop-osed some time ago,” said Mr C. Lafferty, when seconding the motion pro forma. “The council incurred a liability of £3OO for expert advice on the works and was told that the matter was uiuent. However, nothing has been done. A booster has been installed at the works, hut it has been very destructive to the wet meters as it has blown the water out of them. Dry meters have had to be put in at a considerable cost to the borough. When we approved a report we should live up to it.” Continuing, the speaker stated that tlie water meters had been found to be very reliable, but the dry meters deteriated a great deal within flve years with a consequent loss to the consumer.

The speaker asked that the engineer bring down a report to the council concerning (he matter.