Electric Lighting for Feilding.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 112, 8 November 1895, Page 2

Electric Lighting for Feilding.

o A deputation consisting of Messrs J. J. Bagnall, J. G. Cobbe and H. W. Davy waited on the Boronge Council last evening to bring before their notice the question of installing a scheme of electric lighting in the borough. Mr Bagnall acted as spokesman and stated they had been appointed to wait on the Council at an influential meeting of ratepayers held on the 30th of October for the purpose of considering the practicability of lighting Feilding with electricity. At that meeting a resolulution was passed asking if the Borough Council would undertake the work themselves and, if not ; would they be willing to grant to a public company concessions reasonable but sufficiently advantageous to induce the subscription of the necessary capital to complete the work. The concessions they asked were that they be given the sole right to erect poles and carry mains along or across the borough properties for a term af 21 years. Their object was to supply Feilding with a good light and free from danger. If a company was formed, it was suggested to have a capital of about £3000 in 600 shares of £5 each, and it would be open for any townsman to take up shares. It would be handed over to the public at first cost. They were anxious to carry out the matter without delay. The Mayor having informed the deputation that the matter would be considered they thanked the deputation and withdrew. In discussing the matter the Mayor expressed himself in favor of the borough taking the matter up. It should, if possible be undertaken by the Council and he saw no reason why they shouldn't. They should discuss ways and means and he suggested the appointment of a sub-committee to confer with the deputation that waited on the Council that evening. Cr Goodbehere thought it was a question of ways and means and was in favor of taking the matter up. Cr Saywell was in favor of their considering a scheme as suggested. Cr Shearer thought if they went in for a scheme for lighting the borough they should go in for gas in preference to electricity. There were bye products to be considered, and with the former they would have tar for the footpaths ; also, coke was a source of income. He understood tbat m some cases when the gas was in the gasometers it cost nothing, the bye-products paying the cost of production. Also, it was useful as a metive power. There was money in the electric lighting, and he did not think a monopoly should be given to a small company. Cr Bailey considered the Council should go into the matter and consider it thoroughly. There must be something in it or those taking such an active interest in the proposal would not be so anxious to go into it. Iv Palmerston they were considering the advisability of substituting electricity for gas. Cr Allan understood that electricity could be provided at 10s where gas cost 14s per 1000 feet. He thought the Conncil should take the matter up. Cr Gould thought that, seeing the rapid strides electric lighting was making, they couldn't consider gas, but should be careful in taking it up. They should be sure a sufficient number would use it to make it pay. If it could be done at a profit he favoured the Council taking it up. Cr Fowles said that electricity could be used as a power and for cooking at a small cost. Proposed by the Mayor, seconded by Cr Allan, That the matter of lighting the town by electricity or other means be referred to a committee consisting of Crs Bailey, Goodbehere, Allan, Fowles, and the mover, to report thereon at the next meeting of the Council. — Carried.