The Rushden Echo, 16th February, 1906, transcribed by Gill Hollis
Electric Power For Rushden
The Application to The Board of Trade
To be Opposed by The Urban Council
At Wednesday’s meeting of the Rushden Urban Council, the Clerk said he had received a letter from the secretary of the County of Northampton Electric Power and Traction Co. Ltd., a copy of which had been sent to each Councillor.
The letter was as follows:-
With further reference to your letter of Dec. 30th, I am directed to bring to your notice a few particulars with regard to electric power supply, which may not have been sufficiently considered by your Council.
The trend of electrical development is very clearly towards supplying over large areas so that, owing to the great output, economies in price to the consumer can be made which it is impossible for small local stations to attain.
The supply of cheap power under the most comprehensive arrangements in a place like Rushden will not only stimulate the present industries but will also
Attract Other Manufacturers
to the neighbourhood. At present the manufacturers in London and other large towns are being forced by high rents, rates, &c., to remove their works to the provinces, and they naturally select conveniently situated districts where land and power are cheap.
The Wellingborough, Rushden, and neighbouring districts are very well situated, and as power could be obtained at a low figure there is no reason why some of the London industries should not find a new home there. This would increase the prosperity of the neighbourhood and add to the welfare of the community in general.
Your Council is aware that we were associated last year with a Bill which included a comprehensive scheme for power supply over a large area and
Tramways
to link up the principal towns. This scheme had the cordial support of your Council, and we trust that you will not now withhold your support to our present step in this direction.
The Company have not changed their views but the opposition displayed by the Chairman and certain other members of the County Council to the wishes of the districts concerned, which caused the last year’s Bill to be rejected, has necessitated other means to bring this about.
I am, therefore, to ask for the concurrence and support of your Council and to express the hope that we will be in agreement before the Board of Trade.
Opposition
The Chairman (Mr. Clipson) said that a representative of the Company had seen him and expressed the hope that the Urban Council would not proceed with their opposition to the Company. If the Council proceeded with the opposition, the Company would ask the Board of Trade to dispense with the Council’s consent. The Company had the consent of the Higham Ferrers Town Council and of the Wellingborough Rural District Council.
In reply to a question, the Clerk said the resolution of the Urban Council was to oppose the Company with a view to proceeding themselves with a scheme for electricity.
Mr. Bazeley hoped the Council would adhere to their decision.
Mr. Ballard did not think the position had changed since the question was last before them. He moved that the letter be laid on the table.
Mr. Bates seconded, and the motion was carried.
|
Rushden Echo, 23rd February 1916, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Electric Supply Co.
The Fourth Annual Report – Dividend at Three Per Cent
The 4th annual report of the directors of the Rushden and District Electric Supply Co. Ltd., is as follows:-
The hopes expressed in the last report ahev been fully realised. The number of consumers has increased from 79 to 123. Lamp and motors (reckoned as lamps) have increased by 6,380, making a total of 11,941, viz., lighting 2,807, power 8,790, heating 344, and the units sold have been 249,788, nearly 4½ times more than in 1914. The horse power of motors has increased from 101½ to 292½, of which 290½ is let out on hire. Distributing mains have been laid to the extent of 1,208 yards, making a total of 4 miles 1,487 yards. The revenue from the sale of current has increased from £463 to £1,699. In view of the rapid development of the undertaking, orders have already been given for extension to the generating plant, which will practically double the available capacity of the works, and which it is hoped soon to get into commission. After setting aside £300 for depreciation of plant, etc., the directors feel justified in recommending a dividend on the share capital at the rate of three per cent. This would amount to £480 4s. 9d., leaving £89 15s, to be carried forward to 1916. Mr John Clark retires from the Board in rotation, and offers himself for re-election, The auditor, Mr F Roberts, retires, and will be proposed for re-election.
|
Rushden Echo, 5th July 1918, transcribed by Kay Collins
The Rushden and District Electric Supply Co., have given notice that, owing to the increased costs of production, the price of current will be advanced by twenty per cent for power and twenty-one-and-two-thirds per cent for lighting and heating as from the Midsummer meter readings.
|
Rushden Echo, 19th February 1926, transcribed by Kay Collins
Rushden Electric Supply Co. – Extension of Mains to Raunds
The 11th annual meeting of the Rushden and District Electric Supply Co. Ltd, was held yesterday. The report was as follows:
Continued progress has been made during the year. An extension of the mains to Raunds was almost complete at the end of the year, and an extension to Sharnbrook is in hand. A Special Order has been obtained increasing the Company’s area of supply to include Thrapston and Oundle. Lighting and heating connections have increased by the equivalent of 8,127 32-watt lamps, making a total of 27,871 connected. Motors have increased from 1,091 horse power to 1,182. The maximum load was 610 kilowatts, and the number of units sold increased from 954,892 to 1,131,091, and increase of 32 per cent. Distributing mains have been laid to the extent of 2 miles 2 yards, making a total of 13 miles 310 yards, and extra high tension mains 3 miles 479 yards, making a total of 5 miles 1,576 yards. In Junes an issue of £25,000 5 per cent debenture stock ........................
|
|
Rushden Echo & Argus, 26th February 1937, transcribed by Kay Collins
Electricity—An increase of nearly 13 per cent, in the number of units sold is reported by the directors of the Rushden and District Electric Supply Co. Ltd., whose 25th annual meeting will be held next Monday. The number of units increased to 7,604.478, and the maximum load was 4,210 kilowatts. Three miles of distributing mains were laid, making a total of 75½ miles, with 68 miles of extra high tension mains. A sum of £6,896 has been set aside for depreciation, together with £500 as a special provision for depreciation of buildings; £1,500 has been carried to the Reserve Fund and £200 to the Employees' Benevolent Fund. A final dividend of 4½ per cent., making 8 per cent, for the year, will require £4,050, leaving £2,723 to be carried forward. Principal receipts in 1936 were: Sale of current £47,734, public lighting £1,083, rental of meters £2,407.
|
| 1st page of a 1938 agreement with Brigstock Council for Street Lighting:- |
|
AN AGREEMENT made the - Ninth day of November
One Thousand Nine Hundred and Thirtyeight BETWEEN THE RUSHDEN AND DISTRICT ELECTRIC SUPPLY COMPANY LIMITED (hereinafter called "the Company") of the one part and the PARISH COUNCIL FOR THE PARISH OF BRIGSTOCK in the County of Northampton (hereinafter called "the Council") of the other part WHEREBY it is agreed as follows
 |
|
First page of the agreement
|
The Company vill as soon as possible provide and erect in the Parish of Brigstock free of cost to the Council TWENTYEIGHT lamps with all necessary service mains standards brackets reflectors and other apparatus the same to be subject to the reasonable approval of the Council and to be in such positions as the Council may reasonably require
TWENTYTWO lamps shall each be of not less than Seventyfive Watts (nominal). SIX lamps shall each be of not less than One Hundred Watts (nominal). The Company will at their own expense maintain the said lamps service mains standards brackets reflectors and other apparatus during the continuance of this Agreement and the same shall remain the property of the Company and shall be removable by the Company on the ternination of this Agreement. The Council will without charge to the Company grant any necessary easement or wayleaves for poles stays struts and underground cables (if any) on any land belonging to then and will at their own expense obtain all necessary consents to the attachments of brackets to buildings and pay all rents payable in respect thereof.
The Company will provide a constant and sufficient supply of electricity for the said lamps and will cause the said lamps to be lighted within approximately half an hour after sunset and keep the same lighted until 10.3O p.m. every day from and including the Third Saturday in the month of September to and including the Third Saturday in the succeeding month of April.
This Agreement is to remain in force till the Third Saturday in April One Thousand Nine Hundred and Fortythree and shall thereafter continue unless and until the same is determined by either party by Twelve calendar months' Notice in writing expiring on the Third Saturday in April 1942 or on the Third Saturday of April in any subsequent year.
The Council will pay to the Company the sum of SIXTYSIX POUNDS SEVEN SHILLINGS for rent of apparatus and for electricity consumed for the period ending on the Fifteenth day of April 1939 and a similar sum for each period of Twelve calendar months ending on the Third Saturday of April in subsequent years. The said payments shall be made by two equal instalments on the thirtyfirst day of December and the thirtyfirst day of March in each period........>
|
|
