ELECTRICITY

Katanning Electric Power

Katanning was one of the first inland country towns to have electricity supplied to homes and businesses in Western Australia. It was certainly the first to have electric street lighting installed.

The first record of electric power being supplied was in the West Australian newspaper on 9 December, 1902, follows:
Katanning, December 7.
There is a prospect of Katanning being lit up by electricity from a private concern. Messrs. F. and C. Piesse have electric light throughout their flour mill, and Mr. F. H. Piesse has the light laid on to his private residence.

In December of 1903, a bill was passed in State Parliament to allow F. & C. Piesse & Co to provide electricity for lighting to homes and businesses in Katanning: the Katanning Electric Lighting and Power (Private) Act 1904.

The Flour Mill continued to provide the town’s electricity supply until 1964 when it was taken over by the Western Australian State Government. Today, Katanning is part of the state electrical grid with electricity being generated at Muja near Collie and carried by wires around the southern half of the state.

FROM THE NEWSPAPERS

West Australian Newspaper
9 December 1902

In December of 1903, a bill was passed in State Parliament to allow F. & C. Piesse & Co to provide electricity for lighting to homes and businesses in Katanning. In 1948 that bill was replaced with a new Katanning Electricity Supply Undertaking Acquisition Act 1961 after complaints by residents being unhappy with the exorbitant price being charged for electricity by the Katanning Flour Mill.

Katanning, December 7.
There is a prospect of Katanning being lit up by electricity from a private concern. Messrs. F. and C. Piesse have electric light throughout their flour mill, and Mr. F. H. Piesse has the light laid on to his private residence.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING FOR KATANNING
SOME PARTICULARS OF MR. PIESSE’S SCHEME

Great Southern Herald
19 December, 1903

It will not be more than a month now before the people of Katanning will be supplied with electricity for lighting purposes. Parliament has given its sanction to the scheme of Mr F. H. Piesse as set forth in the Bill which was introduced recently; and carried through both Houses with but such slight amendments as were proposed by Mr Piesse himself.

Therefore, when Messrs F. and C. Piesse’s new machinery, which they are putting up in connection with the mill, is erected and the plant established, electricity will be supplied immediately to those who desire it. Messrs’ F. and C. Piesse had hoped to have been able to meet with the wishes of the people and have the plant installed by the new year, but, in consequence of ‘unforeseen’ delay, this has been found impossible. However, matters will not be retarded much, and about the middle of January we may expect to see private individuals’ houses lit by electricity whereas they were previously illuminated, by kerosene.

The question of street lighting will be discussed at the meeting of the Katanning Roads Board this afternoon. It is to be hoped that the Board will decide upon devoting a substantial sum towards this item. At the present time the want of street lights is sorely felt, and it is a great wonder that serious accidents have not occurred at the crossing every year.

The Katanning Roads Board is very loath to part with the few pounds which it receives from the government or happens to collect itself, but it should know that saving carried on to an extreme degree is false economy. Messrs F. and C. Piesse intend to supply electricity at the rate of 1s per unit, but 2d per unit will be allowed as discount on payment of bills monthly.

They are bound by Act of Parliament to supply all persons within the district with a regular and efficient supply upon application, and on the same terms to one as-another. At the expiration of seven years the local authority may, if the maximum price for electricity be unreasonable, give notice to the undertaker requesting a reduction in the maximum price, and if the suggested reduction is not agreed the matter will be referred to two arbitrators and their umpire. The award of the arbitrators as to the fixing of the maximum price will hold good for another seven years.

With regard to the recovery of electricity rate and meter rent if a person fails to pay all moneys due alter 48 hours’ notice they may be recovered in the usual way whilst the supply of electricity may be stopped.

There are several clauses in the Act which prevent the undertakers from delaying, or in doing anything that would cause inconvenience in any way. The electric lighting should prove an important feature in the advancement of the town, and everybody should avail themselves of the opportunity that will be afforded of being able to secure a light which is brilliant, and even more important still, safe.

NEW MACHINERY AT THE MILL
THE ELECTRIC LIGHTING PLANT.
A FULL DESCRIPTION.

Great Southern Herald
13 February 1904

On approaching that portion of Messrs. F. and C. Piesse’s premises which is devoted to the machinery for driving the mill and for electric lighting purposes, the observer is at once struck by the compact and workmanlike appearance, as well as the high finish which characterises the various portions of the plant. In the boiler room great alterations have been carried out, the old Cornish boilers having been entirely removed and their place filled by one of the latest pattern water tube boilers of the well-known Babcock and Wilcox make.

We understand that Messrs F. and C. Piesse were induced to make this departure through the great success which has attended the employment of this class of boiler on other portions of the State, more particularly on the goldfields where the conditions in the way of water, are about as trying as it is possible to find in any quarter.

The boiler is rated at 96 h p. It has 1098 square feet heating surface, and is capable of working up to a pressure of as much as 1601b to the square inch, though ordinarily the boiler will probably not be worked beyond 140 lb. Still the additional pressure it is possible to obtain may be regarded as a valuable stand by in the event of any sudden demand for power arising, such for example as a largely increased number of lamps being thrown on to the electric lighting mains. In such an event the boiler would be worked up to the higher pressure until the abnormal demand for steam abated.

One feature in connection with the boiler calls for particular mention, viz., the addition of a Babcock and Wilcox steam super-heater. The economy resulting from heating steam to a temperature considerably above that corresponding with its pressure has for some time now been admitted to be a well-established fact, as the serious losses arising from surface condensation when saturated steam is passed into the comparatively cool cylinder are entirely obviated, as well as the wasteful condensation in steam pipes.

Messrs F. and C. Piesse wisely determined at the outset to embody in their new plant every modern innovation of proved value, and there is no doubt that they will reap a substantial reward for their enterprise. The feed water is supplied to the boiler by a Blake Duplex Steam Pump of ample capacity, and of course, all necessary fittings and mountings are furnished to the boiler in accordance with the Western Australian Government regulations.

Passing now to the engine room, we find provided for driving the mill, a powerful tandem compound horizontal steam engine having cylinders 8in. and 13in diameter, by 20in stroke, and capable of indicating 90-horse power when supplied with dry steam at the proper pressure.

On the other side of the engine room and arranged in a position parallel to that of the mill engine, is the electric lighting plant, comprising a compound side-by-side horizontal engine of Clayton and Shuttleworth‘s make, driving by belt a Byng-Hawkins four pole compound wound continuous current dynamo. The engine is capable of indicating from 59 to 60 horse power according to the steam pressure, and the dynamo is designed for an output of about 700 16-candle power lamps.

The engine is fitted with automatic expansion gear, and the crank shaft carries a heavy fly wheel 9ft in diameter which is turned on the face with six grooves for rope driving. This system of driving, as being representative of the most approved practice in mill work, was adopted after careful consideration. The great advantage offered by it is that in the event of a rope breaking, the engine will continue to drive the mill with the remaining five ropes, whereas in the case of a belt drive should the belt break, the mill is at a standstill until a repair is effected.

The new dynamo is of the very latest design with slotted drum armature, and former wound field coils and takes the place of a smaller dynamo of an old type which was formerly employed for lighting purposes, but is now converted into an electric motor and used for driving the chaff cutter.

The exhaust steam from both engines is led into a Babcock and Wilcox‘s Patent oil separator, where it is thoroughly freed from every trace of the oil picked up in its passage through the engine cylinders. On leaving the separator, the now thoroughly cleansed steam passes into an atmospheric condenser situated in the yard outside the engine room, where it is condensed to water, and pumped back into boiler.

As there is of necessity a certain amount of loss incurred in this operation, it is the intention of Messrs. F. and C. Piesse as soon as an ample supply of water for cooling purposes is available to erect a water-cooled surface condenser in the place of the present atmospheric type. The steam pipes in the boiler and engine room are lagged with asbestos covering, which conduces largely to the employed in running the plant.

The entire contract for the boiler, engines, dynamo, &c., was entrusted to Messrs J. Barre Johnston and Co., Murray Street, Perth, who are to be congratulated on the successful manner in which the work has been carried out. Mr. H. Bader has been engineer-in-charge of the erection of the above plant, but his work is now just about at an end.

LECTURE AND, DEMONSTRATION

Great Southern Herald
5 June 1920 p2

The Rechabite Hall was well filled with an appreciative audience last Tuesday evening, when Mr. E. F. Cory (manager of Messrs. F. and C. Piesse’s electrical department), delivered his lecture on Static Electricity under the auspices of the Rechabite Lodge.

In opening the subject, Mr. Cory stated that it was very difficult to instruct the lay mind in the principles of electricity, but by omitting technicalities and trying a few simple experiments he hoped to be able to give his audiences a grasp of that particular branch of electricity known as “Static” which is to be found in all bodies, and is used to exert its force by friction.

He demonstrated this by rubbing smartly with a piece of silk an ebonite rod. Then placing the rod about three inches above the table on which was scattered a quantity of cork fillings, the filings were seen to jump quickly and adhere to the rod. This was not magnetism, as Mr. Cory explained, but was the compelling force of the current generated by the friction of the ebonite rod.

The composite effects of positive and negative current was then demonstrated by means of an Electroscope. The lecturer produced electric sparks from a Wimshurst machine which he had constructed at some trouble to himself. The principal of this machine is that the current is generated by two glass discs placed closely together and rotating in opposite directions. A small doll was placed above the machine and the hair was raised straight up by the force of the current.

At the conclusion of the lecture Mr. Cory answered questions, and also invited anyone among the audience who would care to experience a shock from the Wimshurst machine, and many of those present took the opportunity of testing the machine’s power.

In moving a vote of thanks to the lecturer, Mr. W. E. Richmond stated that all were indebted to Mr. Cory for the trouble he had taken to prepare so interesting a lecture, and he hoped that Mr. Cory would repeat his address at some future date. Mr. Marshall, who assisted Mr. Cory, was included in the vote of thanks.

In replying, Mr. Cory stated that he was very pleased to be able to lecture on the subject of electricity, and he would be glad to repeat his demonstration.

Katanning Flour Mills
Big Additions to Power Plant

Albany Advertiser
28 Feb 1928

The Blue Funnel liner Ulysses due at Albany on April 11 from England, will unload here a new Ruston-Hornsby [ 2 ] crude oil engine for the Katanning Flour Mills, which will greatly assist the power supply of that town. This unit, in addition to being extremely powerful, is most economical.

A new system of power charges has been formulated, and will shortly be placed in operation, whereby consumers who use electric irons and other appliances in their household will be allowed one unit in five at the reduced rate of 3d.

Katanning Flour Mills Ltd.
ADDITIONS TO ELECTRIC POWER PLANT.
“SWITCHING-ON” OF NEW PLANT.

Great Southern Herald
18 August 1928

On Friday afternoon, August 10, a large number of shareholders of the Katanning Flour Mills Ltd. and their friends gathered at the new power house to witness the switching-on by Mrs. F.H. Piesse of the new unit of power, a 150 h.p. Ruston-Hornsby crude oil-burning engine.

The Chairman of Directors, Mr. R. L. Richardson, before calling upon Mrs. F. H. Piesse to perform the ceremony of putting the huge engine in motion, welcomed the visitors. He said the new machinery installed was the first unit of power which had been added to the plant by the company and was part only of a scheme to modernise the equipment of the power station. The company was owned by the people of Katanning and district, and it was a matter for congratulation that so soon after its formation the directors were enabled to install this new unit of power.

In calling upon Mrs. F. H. Piesse to perform the ceremony of starting the engine he was calling upon one who had been long associated with Katanning and with the Katanning Flour Mills. The mill had been erected by the late Hon. F. H. Piesse in 1S91 and the firm of F. & C. Piesse, by the enterprise and courage of its principal, had been very greatly instrumental in building Katanning to the town it now was.

Mrs. Piesse then started the engine and the pulsation of the huge cylinders soon drowned the applause that followed the act.

An adjournment being made to the brick flour store adjoining, Mr. W. J. Rogers, director, expressed gratification at such a large and representative gathering. He referred to the recent serious illness suffered by the Chairman of Directors, Mr. R. L. Richardson, and congratulated him upon his recovery, voicing the sincere wish that he would soon be restored to full health and energy. He desired to apologise for the absence that day of Mr. Geo.  McLeod and Mr. T. McGuire, directors, who were absent from the town on other business.

Mr. A. Thomson, director in moving a vote of thanks to Mrs. F. H. Piesse, said it was very fitting that she should have been invited to perform the ceremony of that day.

The name of Piesse was indissolubly interwoven with the history of Katanning, and as Mrs. Piesse had been concerned through her husband, the late Hon. F. H. Piesse, in the beginning of the Katanning Flour Mills no better tribute could be paid her and the name of Piesse than that she should have started in motion the latest power unit to the mill machinery.

It had required the courage and enterprise of a pioneer to establish a mill at Katanning 37 years ago when the whole State was only at the threshold of its history. Again it had required courage and enterprise a year ago when the town was faced with the loss of the mill, to endeavor to form a company local shareholders to purchase the interest of F. & C. Piesse and retain the mill to the town. He and his fellow directors had been successful in obtaining the necessary money for that purpose, but it had been difficult and at times he had been fearful lest the spirit which had dominated those early days had been lost to the present generation.

Yet success always attended success and just as the initial difficulties had been overcome, he was confident that all other difficulties which might arise would be overcome in turn. The mill meant a great deal to the prosperity of the town and district and deserved the fullest support of townspeople.

The company, during the first six months of the year, had distributed £6,468 in wages and £1,574 to contractors for the supply of fuel, in addition to other expenditure. The installation of the new engine with engine room and bulk oil tanks, had cost £3.500, a considerable portion of which had been expended in the town, other machinery was required to bring the power plant to the required efficiency and to enable the directors to meet the ever-increasing demand for light and power.

As every person in the town benefited by the successful continuance of the Katanning Flour Mills Ltd., each one, according to his means, should support the company by purchasing shares and becoming personally interested in its progress. The Directors desired to sell a further 5,000 shares to provide the capital installation of additional power plant, and he trusted that townspeople would show a modicum of the spirit and enterprise which actuated F. H. Piesse by becoming shareholders and assisting in strengthening the company. It had been a blow to the directors when their chairman, Mr. R. L. Richardson had been stricken with illness and he was thankful he was so far recovered to be able to be present that day.

On behalf of the directors he desired to express thanks to Mrs. F.H. Piesse for her share in the days proceedings. Mr H. V.  Piesse responded for his mother. He congratulated the company upon having been successful in the additional plant, and Mr. F. J. Coote, architect, and Mr. F. L. Kleeman, builder, in the erection of such a splendid power house.

Katanning had been the first town in the state to be lit electrically, and the first unit of power was a 4 h.p. engine with a capacity of 90 lights. Today, inclusive of the new engine, the mill had a plant comprising 520 h.p. During all the years the plant had been in operation, there had not been a single breakdown involving a cessation of light and power. This was a meritorious record, which he was confident would be maintained by the company.

He regretted the absence of Mr. Jack Elliott, an old and valued employee of the mill through ill health. He had to thank Mr. Richardson and other speakers, tor kindly references to his mother and Mr. Thomson for the vote of thanks proposed by him.

Other speakers were Mr. Elijah Bell, Mr. A. E. Piesse. Mr. Baldock (Mayor of Albany), and Mr. J. A. Holdcroft, director Harris, Scarfe and Sandovers Ltd., through whom the new engine was purchased.

Afternoon tea served by a number of young ladies terminated the proceedings.

KATANNING FLOUR MILLS LIMITED
TOWN ELECTRIC LIGHTING PLANT.

Great Southern Herald
20 June, 1934

Owing to a breakdown in the crude oil engine generating electric current which occurred at 6.20 p.m. on Sunday, the current supply was shut off for a little over half-an-hour. For the moment, the engine is still out of action, and it appears that one of the big ends gave out, the reason being possibly owing to severe variation in climatic conditions.

We understand that at Monday’s meeting of the board of the company an order was placed for a further large crude oil engine, which, when installed, will act as an auxiliary plant, and in the case of a breakdown such as occurred on Sunday evening, the town would not be without light altogether. It is gratifying to the people to know that the Company is taking immediate steps to meet the situation, and it is anticipated when the new plant is installed, in about four months’ time, a much better service all round will be guaranteed.

Mishaps of this kind are unfortunate, but speaking generally, for the whole period the electric current has been supplied from the mill very little inconvenience has been caused especially when one compares the experiences of other large towns on the Great Southern line in regard to the cessation of current supplies.

FURTHER READING

Katanning Electricity Supply Undertaking Acquisition Act 1961
Because a bill was passed in State Parliament In December of 1903 to allow F. & C. Piesse to provide electricity for lighting to homes and businesses in Katanning, a bill had to be introduced to terminate the agreement. This was bought about by residents being unhappy with the exorbitant price being charged for electricity by the Katanning Flour Mill. Read that Act HERE

NEW ERA OF POWER GENERATION

The Katanning Flour Mill provided a DC power supply to Katanning for over 60 years. After many complaints from local residents, the State Electricity Commission (SEC) took over the supply and commenced providing an AC electricity supply to the town in 1964.

The town was rewired, homes had to be rewired, and a new power house was constructed behind the mill premises in Albion Street. That building survive today and is owned by Ray and Julie Ford for the use of their sign-writing business. Below are a few photos of the premises from 1964.

FROM THE PREMIER MILL HOTEL WEBSITE

If you’ve taken a walk down Clive St, or have been lucky enough to attend a function or see a show in the Power Station, you may have wondered how it came to be that a Flour Mill began to not only produce its own power, but to supply power to far beyond its own doors.

Our Mill’s founder, F H Piesse, recognised early on the commercial advantage of using electricity to power the Mill and began to gradually convert more and more of the Mill’s operations over to electrical power. The Mill was lit by incandescent bulbs from 1891 and by 1904 it was able to generate more electricity than it could use.

Starting with his private residence, Piesse embarked on an ambitious project to power the entire town of Katanning. Piesse saw the sale of power to the townsfolk as a lucrative business and had the WA Parliament pass the Katanning Electric Light And Power (Private) Act, 1904, granting them the ability to do so.

For Piesse, cracking the code of electric power distribution and supply from the Premier Mill was without doubt a catalyst for his spawning multiple new industries in the district.

Visit the Premier Mill Hotel website HERE

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