Old news from Armidale and New England

Tuesday 11 September 1894, The Sydney Morning Herald

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

(FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)

HILLGROVE, MONDAY

At half past 8 this evening Hillgrove was lit up by electricity in the presence of Mr. C. T. M. Michaelmore (managing director of the Hillgrove and Armidale Electric Water-power Company), Professor Threlfall (of the Sydney university, adviser to the company), Mr. W. H. Palmer (contractor for the hydraulic work), and several hundred residents. Mr. T. V. O. Brain, the representative of Crompton and Co., the London Electric Supply Company, superintended the operations. Five arc lights are now burning brilliantly, three out side in a central part of the main street, and one in each of the principal business places. The greatest enthusiasm is displayed. This is the largest three-line communication in Australia, and when the full power is attached for driving our batteries will be the most powerful yet attempted in the colonies. The distance conveyed from the Gara works to this end is nearly seven miles. The water was turned on from Gara River to the machine site yesterday afternoon. In 20 minutes it travelled along a concrete race of wooden fluming for one mile and a half and then down through the steel piping to the Pelton wheel, everything working splendidly. The water was turned on to the smallest of five Pelton wheels to be used, which was connected to a 10-arc light dynamo, the current being switched on by Mr Michaelmore.

Thus the works were brought into practical operation. In order to comply with the Act of Parliament passed last year it was necessary to generate electricity to-day, and notwithstanding having to push forward the completion to secure all rights everything has resulted most satisfactorily, the lighting to-night being a complete success The works when completed will develop 750-horse power to be used for power and lighting purposes. The hydraulic works were carried out by Messrs. Palmer, Edmiston, and Struthers, of Melbourne ; the electric work by the Crompton Electric Supply Company of Australasia, under specifications and details which were drawn up by Professor Threlfall, of the Sydney University. It is believed that this district, and, indeed, the whole colony, will derive immense benefit from a practical proof of how our natural forces may be utilised.