Electric Lighting Department

Descriptive Data

TypeAgencyDate Range1907-1926DescriptionIn 1904 the Council had set up its own electrical generating plant, in Jervois Quay, to supply electricity to the electric tramway service. At this time the Council was also considering using its powers under the Municipal Corporation Act to supply electricity to private consumers. Electricity consumers in 1902 had numbered 3,500 with an annual consumption of slightly over 2,000,000 units.

In 1907, The City of Wellington Electric Light and Power Company agreed to sell its complete undertaking to the Council for £160,000, and the take-over formally occurred on the 31st of July that year. The new department formed to take over this function was named the Electric Lighting Department and started the following month.

The first office of the Electric Lighting Department was a back room in the Town Hall but in 1907 it took over the offices of the City of Wellington Electric Light and Power Company in Harris Street. In 1908 the Tramway head office was transferred to Harris Street and the account staffs of the two departments were amalgamated. From this time the Electric Lighting Department and the Tramways Department (later known as the Transport Department) were associated, headed by the same General Manager. Mr S Richardson, Engineer and Manager of the Tramway Department, was appointed also as Engineer and Manager of the Electric Lighting Department.

When it took over The City of Wellington Electric Light and Power Company the Council also took over a large stock of electrical fittings and appliances from the Company and opened an electrical appliance and fittings showroom. For many years electrical cooking demonstrations were held regularly to popularise electric cooking. A wiring and appliance servicing department was also available.

Prior to 1924 the supply of power for tramways purposes was taken from the Jervois Quay Power Station; lighting and private consumption came from Mercer Street Station which supplied the bulk of electricity requirements. In 1925 the Mercer Street power station shut down as hydro-electric bulk supply power became available from the Government at a cheaper rate than could be supplied by the Council's generators and a new plant at Evans Bay was commissioned. The Electric Lighting Department took over the supply of Direct Current power to the tramways in 1926 and became known as the Municipal Electricity Department.

The General Managers for the department were: S Richardson M.I.E.E. 1907-1914 W H Morton M.Inst.C.E. 1914-1923 M Cable M.I.E.E. 1923-1926 Mr Cable continued as General Manager for the Electricity Department. References used: 00233:158:1908/1340, Annual report on Electric Lighting Department 1907-8 - Electrical Engineer 1908 2003/7:29:15 Pt 1a, Electricity History 1961-1976 2003/7:29:15 Pt 2, Electricity History 1976-1982 Electric Lighting and Electricity Department Annual Reports 1910-1927

Series

WCC, Electric Lighting Department, Order book of the Lighting Engineer

WCC, Electric Lighting Department, correspondence and financial reports

Place

Jervois Quay Power Station

Agency or Organisation

Municipal Electricity Department

Controlling Agency or Organisation

Controlling Agency or OrganisationWellington City CouncilControlling Agency or Organisation Date Range1870-

Related Agencies

Successor Agency or OrganisationMunicipal Electricity Department

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Electric Lighting Department