THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 252, 29 April 1896, Page 2

THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.

TO THE EDITOR. * Sir, — Will you kindly allow me space to say a few words on the electric light scheme, the rating district for which is advertised in your columns. A good many ratepayers,^ : including many in the said district/ think tbe time is premature for such an expensive plan of lighting the borough. I see the boundaries include a large area of open houseless grass laud, and a large number of private houses that can't be expected to take and use this luxurious light. Again, ifl mistake not, this 4£d .will make the rates up to 3s in tbe _S. Years ago we were told that the amount of rates was causing the property owners of Oamaru to desert their honies, glad to getaway from the heavy liability. We may be told that y we are not asked to pay all these rates. ■Well, it not pleasant to think we are liable, and we know not how soon a serious flood or other impressive circumstance may make it necessary to call in all the rates levied. ! Anyhow, to allay the fears of the doubtful,' if the Council, or the promoters of the scheme^ wish for the support necessary-; pn polling day, it will be absolutely desirable to give those interested the fullest information by public meeting or through the columns of your paper. The time bas gone. by when the ratepayers voted blindfolded for any scheme however plausible. Such questions as, "Is this 4Jd to be paid, or is it only a formal security.'. "On what ground may it be looked oo, as such?" "What real encouragement bas been giyen [by those who wish for the electric light V Some think the Council is acting On shadowy data, without any prospect of sufficient support. : Others again think a water scheme should haye the prior claim on our attention. Let me again say tbat nothing but the fullest information will satisfy those who have to find the security for this large expenditure and liability, and to urge on the promoters to explain their ' plans as clearly and promptly as possible. '7/ I am, etc., Anxious Enquirer. TO THE EDITOR OF THK STAB. • - ; Sir, — The following, taken from the Canterbury Times, will doubtless interest your readers and should prove to some extent a solution of the unemployed problem. As Feilding is to be lighted by electricity I commend it to the consideration of the City Fathers. " Build a dynamo in which unlimited energy can be stored. Light, beat, or power to run machines may be. created by turning a crank or cranks protruding from this simple contrivance. Place these employers on street corners, in the slums, or wherever tbe. unemployed are likely to be found. > A man out ot work need only to give a certain number of turns to the crank, when a coin will drop out. Say he gives a hundred and earns. a nickle, or five hundred and earns, a dollar. The proposer claims that such a system would enable anyone with one g<jbd arm to always get work. The---" genteel " pauper might earn his bread under cover of night. The lazy man would havo no excuse for being penniless if such automatic employers were in vogue. lam, etc., Henry Osborne. West Waitapu, April 27th, 1896.