The Electric Light Question.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 232, 4 April 1896, Page 2

The Electric Light Question.

Afc the ordinary meeting of the Borough Council, "held ou Thursday evening last, a letter was received from the Clerk to the Gore Borough Council giving information as follows, relative to the electric light : — Light is installed over a radius of about 40 chains long by 30 chains extreme width (the area being rather irregular). Street lighting consists of 2 arc lamps of 3000 candle power each, and further lights equal to 32 incandescent lamps of 32 candle power each. Cost about £3000, steam power. Work dove by a compauy. Concession— the right to supply the inhabitants who may desire to use it for 21 years at a price cot exceeding 2s per Board of Trade uuh less 25 per cent for prompt payment. The agreement with the borough was to light tho streets for six mouths (March 14 to Pept. 14) for £150. This agreement was for three years only, when the Council was free to act as they pleased, Cost to consumers supposed not to exceed 20s per 1000 feet of gas less 25 per cent. Tho light gave general satisfaction. There was no question as to quality and safety of light. As regards labor, there was a manager, night engineer, ancl lad assisting ; all constantly employed. Plant- 650 16-candle lamps including 2 engines, 2 dynamos, 1 boiler, and storage batteries for 250 lamps is estimated to cost £2750. Probable cost of building (exclusive of site) £300. This estimate would vary if the place was scattered or otherwise, as the wires aud supports run into a lot of money. He suggested that the private consumption to be relied on should bo first ascertained pretty nearly. With reference to the electric lighting proposal, tho Mayor stated that Crs Goodbehere ancl Fowles aud himself had proparcd a plan of the proposed special rating district over which it was proposed to raise a loan of £3000. They had made a start to canvas the town to see what support they would receive, but the weather prevented them completing it. He felt confident a loan would be carried if once started. Crs Gould, Shearer, Chamberlain and Bramwell were of opinion the committee should report as to what support they were likely to receive before a poll was taken. Crs Goodbehere, Saywell, and Fowles, thought thoy would be doing the proper thing by taking a poil, which would be the best expression of opinion from the ratepayers. Proposed by Cr Bailey seconded by Cr Fowles, That steps be taken to raise a loau of £3000 for electric light and that a poll be taken over the district marked out by Crs Goodbehere, Fowles and the Mayor — Carried. The boundries for the special ratine* district over which it is proposed to raise a loan for establishing the electric light in Feilding arc :— Starting from Eyre street at its junction with Manchester street, taking in section 140 ; along Fergusson street to Warwick street, taking in section 141 ; thence aloijg the eastern boundries of sections 53, 59,60 aud 61, ancl along the western boundry of the latter to Kimbolton road; along the western boundry of section 41 to the northern boundary, theuce aloug the northern bouuclaiies of sections 39, 37 aud 33, to Warwick street ; thence by Warwick street to the northern boundary of section SO following the northern boundaries of sections 80, 79, 73. 77, 76, to Manchester street ; tlicnco along Fit'zroy street to Denbigh street ; thence to Grey street, aloug Grey street to Derby street ; theuce to Fergusson street; along Denbigh street to the eastern boundary of section -179, following the eastern boundaries of 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 304, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313 aud 314 (fronting Eyre street) to Manchester street