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serious delays in the construction of the power station building. Bennett requested that
shipment be held back until the building was ready, to which Westinghouse replied that

their works were badly overcrowded and the subcontractors complained bitterly because
they did not receive shipping instructions after having been requested to push the work

through at top speed. The machinery would have to be stored and insured at the

Municipality’s expense, and interest would be charged. In May 1905 Bennett wrote that
the erection of the power station building had not even commenced.

A wood and iron construction was then put up instead of a brick building as planned.

The chimney was built 15 feet lower than the planned height of 100 feet as there were
doubts as to its stability in the south-easter if built to the full height. Four stay wires

were also added. (Figs. 2.15 & 2.16). By May 1906 the building was ready for the plant.

Westinghouse wrote that it would be advisable to have the machinery overhauled before
shipment because of the length of time it had been stored.

Destructors were supplied by Meldrum Bros. with a capacity for handling 1 ton per hour
of garbage. The Standard Coal Co. was also contracted to supply Natal steam coal at

27s. 7d. per truckload. The use of garbage as fuel at Royal Road was said to be the first
attempt in South Africa to generate electrical energy from the burning of town refuse.

Tests were carried out using garbage as fuel, but there was not sufficient for continuous
operation. Storage for intermittent use posed a health risk. However, records do not

show how much power was produced from garbage and how much from coal during the

operating life of the station.

On 3 August 1907 Mr W. Runciman, MLA, opened the power station at a ceremony at
which about a hundred ratepayers and other interested persons were present. Mr George

Swingler, who had come to South Africa in 1902 as a young man of 18 and worked for
A. B. Reid & Co., joined the staff of the municipality in 1905 and now became

Superintendent of the Royal Road Power Station. From this date the sewage pumps

were commissioned, and also 260 fifty-candle-power electric streetlights, each cast iron
pillar surmounted by a finial carrying two lamps. (Figs. 2.17 & 2.18). The lighting was