General Purposes Sub-Committee: February 26th 1923

On Minute No 248, the following report of the General Manager was submitted with reference to the Etna system of heating:

Report by General Manager on "Etna" system of Heating.

The General Manager has previously furnished two reports on the subject of heating Branches in which reference to this system is made. The first report was considered at a meeting of the General Purposes Sub-Committee held on September 5th 1922, and the second report was considered at a meeting of the General Purposes Sub-Committee held on November 20th 1922.

The first report emphasized the necessity of making better heating arrangements than had hitherto applied at Branches, before the approaching Winter set in, and an account of the trial of the "Etna" system at Sparkbrook, and what is claimed for it by the Patentees, was given. Briefly, the claims put forward were that the system would affect an economy of 30% to 40% in gas consumption; that the heat would be more equally distributed over the office than is the case with radiators; that the heat being radiated near to the floor the lower parts of the person would be kept warm; that the cost of installation was small; and that there would be no fumes from the system as they would be carried outside.

The second report gave comparative costs of the gas radiator system, the Etna system, and a hot water circulatory system put forward by the Gas Department. In this report the General Manager pointed out that the Etna system had not given the results claimed for it, and that experiments were continually being made to get the system satisfactory. Further, that the putting in of extra sections in order to get reasonable warmth would seriously affect the cost and the consumption as against gas radiators was not likely to be appreciably reduced. The General Manager also expressed his disapproval of the manner in which the work was being carried out, the unsightly appearance of the Banks as a result of the pipes being carried up the walls, and drew attention to certain drawbacks in the way of heat from the burners affecting the wood block floors and difficulties in connection with condensation. In this report the General Manager urged the Committee to put down a more effective system, particularly at the permanent Branches, and expressed his opinion that the Gas Department's proposals appeared sound and were likely to give satisfactory heat. The Committee agreed with the General Manager's views and decided accordingly, but no action was taken as regards the four Branches where the Etna system was installed except that the Etna Company must put the system right.

The General Manager's opinion is that the Etna Company have not justified their claim for the system, and have in fact seriously departed from one of the main advantages, viz that of fumes in the office. The trouble experienced from the "back draughts" has caused them to erect "chimneys" in the Banks and the fumes escape from such "chimneys" into the Bank. From the commencement to the present time the system has been altered and experimented with while it has become a nuisance. It is true that the system as installed now at Sparkbrook and Small Heath gives a satisfactory heat, but it is by reason of additional sections at an additional cost, and the same result might have been achieved by gas radiators if extra radiators had been put down. There is condensation trouble still at Small Heath but not at Sparkbrook. The position at Balsall Heath and Erdington is not satisfactory as regards heat nor can it be made so without extra sections being put in. The ugliness of the piping, the noise which the burners make, and the more serious trouble of danger to the public from burning unless guarded, constitute complaints which are sufficient to condemn the system. To effectively guard the pipes means further expense.

The original quotations of the Etna Company were as follows:

  Sparkbrook              £22. 10. 0.

  Small Heath            £18. 0. 0.

  Balsall Heath           £19. 10. 6

  Erdington                £14. 10. 0.

  Selly Oak                 £25. 0. 0.

                                £99. 10. 6.

The Company have undoubtedly incurred considerable extra expense in putting in extra lengths and in effecting alterations, but Selly Oak system was never installed and any expense incurred in respect of that Branch could only have been incurred between October 31st and November 6th when the order was suspended and later cancelled.

The Company have been in tight financial circumstances during the past twelve months and have repeatedly applied for a payment on account. Beyond Balsall Heath no payment has been made to them for heating systems, but Balsall Heath account amounting to £21. 12. 3. was paid during the summer holidays, that being the first system completed and reported to be in working order. The accounts outstanding up to the moment, show as follows:

  Sparkbrook               £22. 10. 0.

            "                      £14. 12. 0

  Erdington                  £12. 8. 6.

            "                      £4. 13. 11.

  Small Heath              £25. 11. 0.

                                   £79. 15. 5.

The General Manager is of opinion that the system should be abandoned, the apparatus removed, and a settlement on the accounts aimed at, and that if the Sub-Committee concur in this opinion that the Chairman (Councillor Appleby) and the General Manager be authorised to effect such settlement.

The General Manager further advises the Sub-Committee to install the Hot Water Circulatory system without further delay at Sparkbrook, Small Heath and Balsall Heath, and to ask the Gas Department to provide additional heating at Erdington to carry over the present winter.

A synopsis of the correspondence in the matter will be available for the information of the Committee if required.

The General Manager reported that since preparing the above report a further inspection had been made by Councillor Higgins and himself, and the condensation trouble was still being experienced at Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath and Erdington Branches. On consideration of the matter, the following letter from the Etna Lighting and Heating Company was read:

THE ETNA LIGHTING AND HEATING CO LTD

293A and 295, Broad Street,

BIRMINGHAM.

26th February, 1923.

Dear Sir,

Coventry Rd. Bank.

The two small Window Sections at the above which was altered from Round to Rectangular to fit the Windows that the Seats might go back still seems to condense badly. The only thing we suggest is to re-make the whole thing in an Oval Section. The Rectangular Section is the first experience we have had and was only tried to suit the above conditions. Curiously enough, Stratford Rd., round section under exactly the same conditions has never shown any condensation at all since it was first fixed 1st July, 1922. We now feel, time due to the short Banking hours and the time to make special nature of the Piping and changes have exhausted your patience, although honestly we have striven to give you the best of our services.

We would like to suggest to you that we put in B.T.U. Boiler (more expensive) complete system, which we feel you now favour at a reasonable price, deducting the cost of Hot Air.

Please do clearly understand we are stilled filled up with orders for this Hot Air Heating and are meeting with every success, and we do not wish you to think that we feel we have failed, and our latest suggestion to you is only based on that we wish to give you every satisfaction and that you will continue to help us by allowing our confidence to remain with you as strong as ever.

Please thoroughly understand this is a big financial loss to ourselves which we are glad to offer with a view of being perfectly honourable and straightforward. If you wish the Oval Section tried we will do this at our own expense and rush it through in 4 to 5 days. The other sections at Coventry Road Bank we understand give satisfaction.

            Six Ways, Aston.

           Mr McMichael asked us to wire and provide for Key Sign at the above, we have finished to a porcelain ceiling rose.

Yours faithfully,

(Signed) H R Prosser

Managing Director.

__________________________

27th February 1923.

Dear Sir,

With reference to our Mr Prosser's interview with you this afternoon, we have much pleasure in confirming the extension of our offer in our letter of the 26th to include Sparkbrook Branch and Balsall Heath, it being understood that we prepare a Plan with our scheme and estimate for Coventry Road first. Further that our work is passed by the Gas Department.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

(Signed) H P Prosser

Managing Director.

P.S. Will you please

instruct Mr McMichael to

send us blue print of

Coventry Rd., Balsall Heath

and Sparkbrook Branches.

267    RESOLVED:- That the Gas Circulatory Heating System be substituted for the Etna Heating System at the Sparkbrook, Small Heath and Balsall Heath Branches, and that the Etna Company be informed that in consideration of the Company waiving all claims in respect of accounts rendered for work carried out in installing their Patent Hot Air System at Small Heath, Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath and Erdington Branches, this Sub-Committee are agreeable that they should be allowed to install the Gas Circulatory Heating System as fitted at Selly Oak and Aston Branches, on the understanding that the work is carried out to the satisfaction of the Gas Department and the cost does not exceed relatively the tenders of the Gas Department already accepted for similar work.

Bank Committee: October 15th 1923

The following report of the General Manager was received:

Aston Branch.

The Committee will be aware of the considerable difficulty which has been experienced for some time in dealing with the business at this Branch. The developments of the Branch since the little enlargement took place has been remarkable, and the returns week by week indicate that the development has been maintained. No less than an average of 75 new accounts per week have been opened at this Branch since September 1st 1923, and the number of transactions which have to be dealt with each week are growing, and, during the week ended October 6th, represented 947 deposits and 196 withdrawals. All this is quite independent from the dealing with Water Accounts, Rates, and numerous enquiries.

The accommodation is altogether inadequate, and, as the Committee have so often had evidence of this brought to their notice, it is unnecessary to labour the point.

The shop and dwelling house next door to the Bank are vacant, and the General Manager asked Mr Wilde to see whether anything could be done to secure these premises, which had been definitely refused to the Bank on several occasions. Mr Wilde has been in negotiation with Mr Glass, the owner, and a letter has been received which indicates that the property can be purchased but at an excessive price. As there was a fear that Mr Glass is likely to dispose of the property to another party, and with a view to keeping the matter open during the week and, which, in the opinion of the Chairman and Mr Wilde, was very desirable, the General Manager instructed Mr Wilde to offer the sum of £1,500 for the property, and he now asks that the Committee should determine how far they are prepared to go in this matter, so that Mr Wilde may be in a definite position to take up the matter to-morrow morning.

1542 RESOLVED:- That the question of the acquisition of property for the extension of the Aston Branch be left in the hands of the Chairman, and the General Manager, in consultation with Mr Frank Wilde to negotiate with a view to the purchase of the required additional property at as reasonable a price as possible, reporting their action in due course.

Bank Committee: November 19th 1923

On Minute No 1542 (Aston Branch Extension – proposed purchase of property) the General Manager presented the following report:

24, High Street, Aston.

Acting upon the instruction contained in Minute No 1542, the Chairman and General Manager have agreed to purchase the above freehold premises, including the small factory at rear, for the sum of £1,800. The Committee will remember that the Vendor asked £2,000, and up to a week ago refused to take less. The negotiations have been very difficult, but the Chairman and General Manager did not feel justified in allowing the opportunity to pass of obtaining this property, having regard to the serious inadequacy of the present Bank premises. It has further been agreed to pay the Vendor the sum of £15 towards his Solicitor’s charges.

The contract has not yet been signed, but is in course of preparation, and will be ready in a day or two.

The Committee are asked to approve the action taken by the Chairman and General Manager, and to instruct the Town Clerk to effect completion, subject to the approval of the Council.

1567 RESOLVED: That the action of the Chairman and the General Manager above referred to be confirmed, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to complete the purchase of the freehold property mentioned (No 24, High Street, Aston) at the sum of £1,800, subject to the approval of the City council, and to prepare and affix the Corporate Seal to any necessary documents in the matter.