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The festival had produced a profit of £2,000
that went, as usual, to charity and congratulations had come
from all over the country. The festival was also the occasion for one of the first outside-broadcasts in England. The National Telephone Company set up the broadcast. The company established a communications link between the Town Hall and its offices in Park Row. There were numerous applications from the 250 subscribers to be allowed to listen to the broadcast. Only 25 could be accommodated at one time. Subscribers in Bradford, Dewsbury, Huddersfield and other surrounding towns were able to enjoy the concert over the telephone line. There was also a small audience in the NTC manager's office. |
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Less than a month after the festival, the
Council held it's Annual Meeting. The competency of the ELC was
called into question and the members accused of wasteful blundering.
A few of the members offered to resign but that only brought
accusations of shirking their responsibilities. In a bid to prove its capability, and to light the Municipal Building, the ELC appointed a sub-committee to investigate the means of generating electricity. In January 1884 the sub-committee made it's report; as there was no space near the Municipal Building for steam engines then gas engines were to be used; using gas engines would necessitate a reduction in load so only the libraries would get the lights. The ELC accepted these recommendations, but only with an 8-7 vote. A month later, it was reported that two gas engines had already been purchased and a tender had been accepted for the installation. It was hoped therefore, that the work would be completed by May 1. Success at last! Well no, not quite. The mayor had already announced that the new buildings were to be officially opened in Easter Week, with a distinguished company including the Secretary of State. The lights would not be ready until a month after the official opening. The press was indignant, 'gross neglect of duty', 'nothing short of a scandal'. As far as the ELC was concerned, there would be no electric lights at the opening, like it or not. |
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The Mayor had other ideas. A banquet had been arranged for 400 guests on the evening of the opening and he was going to have electric light in the Victoria Hall with, or without, the help of the ELC. Fortunately, Cromptons had not yet recovered their equipment that had been used for the music festival. The Council had been discussing whether to buy the installation. Cromptons were able to re-commission the installation quickly and easily. The work was donated freely as Crompton's contribution to the event. The evening was a great success. |
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Two months, yes, two months, not one month
as promised, after the opening, the lights went on in the Municipal
Building. Seventy thousand volumes were moved into the new building
in a hectic two days. Five months later it was evident that the lights were not up to the job. It was obvious that the lamps and dynamos were of poor quality. Fortunately, the Council had not completed payment and refused to do so. A legal case ensued, the Council got a favourable judgement, and yes, the ELC got the blame for the whole predicament. Equipment was replaced and come December it was reported that, '… Leeds have as good a system of electric lights as there is in the country.' |
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For the next three years the ELC managed, for most of the time, to stay free of controversy. In that period, they managed, with their usual efficiency (!), to have lights installed in the Town Hall and the new Fine Art Gallery. The Council's 1888 Annual Meeting began with many criticising the history of the ELC and a proposal was made not to re-appoint the Committee. The ELC listened to the condemnation with a certain smugness, brushed aside the censure, and then made a triumphant announcement. The ELC was about to offer electricity supply to the public! |
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Amendments to the Electric Lighting Act had
made investment in the electric industry far more favourable.
That, together with advances in the technology, increased the
public demand for electricity. The Council now had three options
available. (1) Consent to the granting of a Provisional Order to a private company. (2) Undertake the supply itself. (3) Do nothing for the time being. |
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Politics ruled out the first and last options
although the third option did look attractive as the Council
members still had some misgivings about this new form of lighting. The Borough Engineer was instructed, by the ELC, to prepare a scheme for the lighting, be electricity, of the centre of Leeds. The area bounded by Boar Lane, Leeds Bridge, Vicar Lane, Upper Head Row and Albion Street was to be supplied from a generator sited on the 'Midden', waste ground near to the markets. It was not until May 1889 that the report was presented to the ELC. Estimates had been obtained from two leading electrical companies. The cost of forty-thousand pounds dismayed the ELC. The meeting was adjourned for two weeks for further enquiries. A fortnight later, the Borough Engineer re-presented his report and recommended that the centre of the town, business and commercial premises should be supplied during the day and domestic premises at night. The cost - sixty-one thousand pounds. Alarm now engaged the ELC. Another adjournment, this time so the report could be printed and distributed to the members for quiet consideration at home. On 12th June 1889, the ELC met again and, having decided that the supply should include Kirkgate Market, saw the estimates had now risen to sixty-five thousand pounds. The ELC made a decision…………… postpone a decision for seven days. The local newspapers predicted the project would be quietly dropped, but on 18th June, the decision was made, to go with the up rated scheme at a cost of sixty-eight thousand pounds. Two weeks later the Council considered the recommendations. The scheme was referred back to the ELC to determine the annual costs and the costs of electric lighting in other towns. This, not surprisingly, caused a considerable delay. In October Leeds people were in despair. The Council had decided to defer a decision on public supply for a whole six months. |
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The pressure on the Council was beginning to create great unease among the members. A worried Council assembled in late 1890 to assess electric lighting. Alderman Spark sought to calm frayed nerves and pleaded with the Council to see the six-month waiting period out and then let the ELC report on the latest developments. The Council nervously agreed. The relief at the end of the waiting time was increased when a message from the Government's Board of Trade department arrived. As the Council was engaged in an experiment with electric light, the matter of a private contractor would be put on hold for one year. The ELC was delighted with this unexpected extension. The ELC liked time to consider matters! Startlingly, the ELC presented a report in October 1890. The citizens of Leeds had experienced anticipation and excitement, then dismay and disappointment, now they were to receive a hefty dose of incredulity and amazement. |
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The ELC Chairman, Mr Hardwick, proposed that
the Council should apply for a Provisional Order to undertake
the supply of electricity. A decision that should be made quickly
before the Board of Trade allowed a private company into the
Borough. The heart of the Council missed a beat when Mr Hardwick
then admitted that he was in favour of a private company supply!
Having proposed the motion and then spoken against it, Mr Hardwick
then gave the floor to the seconder of the motion, Mr Willey.
Having seconded the motion Mr Willey then declared that he preferred
private companies as they looked after their business better
and employed more efficient servants than the Council. Not surprisingly, as volte-face seemed to be the current fashion, the Council voted 35-4 to allow a private company access. The people of Leeds, as ever, were not backwards in coming forwards to express their views! |
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Undaunted, the Council set about considering
the three companies which had expressed a desire to supply Leeds
with electricity. Having decided on a course of action the Council seemed in no haste to take it. It was not until 17th April 1891 that the Council opted for one of the companies, The Yorkshire House-to-House Co. (Ltd). |
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Yorkshire House-to-House applied for the necessary
Acts of Parliament enabling it to supply Leeds and searched for
a suitable site to build a generating station. The search produced
numerous responses and a plot of land, about one acre, was purchased
in Whitehall Road at the side of the River Aire and a short distance
from the town centre. The site held much promise; the river would supply a free water supply and cheap coal transport. A date was set - November 1892 - for the completion of the station and works. Fate, however, had other ideas. The building of the station met problems; the site foundation proved difficult due the treacherous nature of the soil near the river; the weather was very unkind, torrential rain in October caused severe flooding along much of the river. It was soon evident that the company would not be able to meet the completion date. Faced with a public relations disaster over the Christmas period YH-H had no alternative but to hire a portable steam engine and set that up in a temporary shed. The engine was used to drive one of the new dynamos and supply was first made on 14th December 1892. Construction of the station continued but it was not ready to supply electricity until May 1893. The temporary system ran without problems but YH-H must have been relieved when they took possession of the new station. A regular supply began on 1st May although the official opening, with due pomp and circumstance, took place on the 10th May before a large crowd of dignitaries. The gremlins that had been present throughout the whole history of electricity in Leeds also decided to attend the opening. The Mayor gave a short speech, during which he bemoaned the fact that it was not a Council Electric Works, and then entered the switch room and threw the switch. Nothing! Someone had turned the steam engine off to hear the Mayor's speech. Frantic activity by the engineers and things were soon righted. Amidst great applause light spread in every direction. Even the Mayor's face lit up! A quick tour of the premises then it was off to the Queen's Hotel for a first class dinner. |
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Now that YH-H had something to sell they needed
customers. But who? YH-H had shrewdly targeted local business and commerce. For the vast majority of people electricity was far too expensive for a personal investment. The typical house in the town was the two-up, two down terrace house. To light this type of house would require just six bulbs. With the various discounts and special offers, the cost per yearly quarter would be thirty-three shillings. To most people that was a lot of money. A tram conductor, for example, working sixty hours a week would earn twenty-one shillings and seven pence and that was before tax was deducted. The only residences likely to take advantage of electricity were the large houses in the prosperous areas. For a large house, the quarterly bill would be in the region of fifteen pounds, less than a servant's yearly wage. Of course, there was also the added prestige and social status. Business, on the other hand, saw the money generating properties of electricity. Places of public meeting, hotels, inns, restaurants etc, realised that costs could be offset by the reduced need for decoration. Gas was still a dirty fuel. Shops, with bright attractive displays, saw the future with greatly increased custom. Industry saw the benefits of increased productivity and a safer, fire-free, environment. |
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Five shops in Boar lane and Commercial Street
were among the first to be connected. On 9th December, C.J.Hardy
(Outfitters) and Pickles Confectioners on Boar Lane were followed
by Pearce & Son (watchmakers) in Commercial Street on 12th
December. The following day Timothy Newby (fish shop) on Boar
Lane joined the elite group. On 14th December, the day the system
went live, Smith J.Wales (tailors) joined the pioneers. By April 1893 another twenty-five customers had connected to the network bringing the total of lamps to 2063. By the end of 1893 139 customers had installed 11,634 lamps. YH-H went form success to success. With each new customer came the best possible endorsement and a flurry of new customers. 1894 saw many important buildings succumbed to the new technology; the Parish Church, the Bank of England, the School of Medicine, Post Office, parts of the Infirmary as well as many insurance companies, shops, banks and hotels. |
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The Works on Whitehall Road seemed to be in
a constant state of expansion. New generators were being installed
and plans announced for an extension to the network moving into
parts of Woodhouse and Chapeltown. For those with a map of Leeds
it will be appreciated that none of this activity was taking
place south of the river. Holbeck, Hunslet and similar areas
had been settled by industry and consequently the majority of
the population in these areas was very poor and therefore unable
to afford electricity. YH-H had little incentive to stretch across
the river therefore anybody south of the river would have to
wait. Meanwhile, customers, and potential customers, were being urged to use more and more electricity with ever more discounts and special offers. The promised economies of scale were beginning to be felt. |
| At the outset of YH-H's enterprise, the councillors over at the Town Hall must have looked on with envy. YH-H should have been a council enterprise with all the prestige, not to mention the finances that went with a successful enterprise. Recriminations abounded, not least towards the ELC. The ELC did not need reminders from the rest of the Council regarding its ineptitude. A quick visit to the Reading Rooms in the library was all that was needed. It had taken but three years for the inadequacies in the electric light installations in the Town Hall and Municipal Building to become apparent. The engines and dynamos had been sited in a very unsuitable position in the basement of the Municipal Building. The temperature in which the attendants worked often topped 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The wiring was defective being far too thin to carry the current safely. The insurance company had refused to renew the policy unless the defects were righted. A committee produced the recommendation that there be a new installation in the libraries, a complete overhaul of the remainder of the system and premises to be found for the generating plant. Once again, the Fire Department had to staunchly defend the shed! |
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In 1892, ignoring criticisms, the Council
agreed to spend five hundred pounds on the system. In January
the following year the local press complained about the 'daily
discharge of volumes of dense smoke from the (Councils steam
engine) chimney'. Several councillors were now thinking the ultimate
heresy; could YH-H solve their problems? For a trial period of two years only though! |
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The decision had been inevitable. Earlier in the year the Council had sought, and obtained, the power to raise one hundred thousand pounds for 'municipal purposes'. The Council's credit accounts had been exhausted, or as one councillor put it, 'slightly in excess of exhausted'. Regret was, yet again, expressed that YH-H was not in Council hands. Alderman Scarr disagreed. He pronounced that the councillors were not fit to manage it; in fact, they were fit to manage very little. YH-H pushed their expansion across Leeds and built a very successful business. However, a time bomb was ticking over at the Town Hall. |
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The shrewd businessmen at YH-H may have been dismayed, but not surprised, when they read in the Leeds press on 28th August 1897 that the Council had a resolution before it at a forthcoming meeting. The resolution called for the purchase, by the Council, of the YH-H undertaking. But, typically, things would not be as simple as the Council believed. The terms of the Provisional Order were quite complex and needed a good understanding of the intricacies of dealing in stocks and shares. Simply, the Council had to provide sufficient stock to provide a 5% annuity and to compensate the YH-H shareholders for the purchase of the equipment and plant. A shopping list that would cost about a third of a million pounds |
| Some councillors balked at the cost and worried about possible losses if, or when, the Council took control. The doubters were persuaded when it was pointed out that the YH-H had started four years earlier with a three thousand pound investment, was now worth over one hundred and fifty thousand pounds, and was rapidly expanding. Expansion meant capital investment so delay would prove costly. The matter, predictably, was passed to a committee. |
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The committee members very quickly realised that they had a problem. As they saw the situation, and as YH-H probably saw it, to provide an annuity meant the issue of irredeemable stock. When the Council had been allowed to borrow the one hundred thousand pounds two years earlier, it had foregone the power to issue irredeemable stock. This meant that the Council had no legal means to buy the company! Leeds was not alone in this predicament.
Sheffield had the same problem. However, that town was six months
further along in negotiations. Matters of legal submissions occupied
the two towns. Sheffield fell first, agreeing to purchase the
local company on terms that were described as,' onerous in the
extreme', and 'monstrous and iniquitous'. |
| YH-H considered a profitable take-over a foregone conclusion but, business is business, saw the opportunity to increase profits. Complaints were made that the company was laying cables in such a hurry that was not 'very seemly'. For every pound spent on capital equipment, and that included cables, the company stood to gain two pounds when the inevitable take-over occurred |
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As things turned out Leeds negotiated a better deal than Sheffield. The favourable settlement was due to some 'behind-the-scenes' efforts by Leeds MP Mr Jackson who, as the Yorkshire Post claimed, '… was interested in the matter, and knowing the right door to go to and being able to gain access to the right man, he had smoothed away all difficulties.' On 15th December 1898, completion of the purchase took place at the company's premises in Whitehall Road, just in time to put the lights on the Christmas Tree!
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| The quality of local councillors is much better today .................... isn't it? |
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