Borough Lighting.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 56, 3 September 1896, Page 2

Borough Lighting.

A meeting of burgesses was held in the Council Chambers yesterday after- , noon to further consider the question i of lighting the borough, and discuss , the advisability of accepting the offer made by Mr A. H. Truebridge, on behalf of a Wellington syndicate, to light the Borough by gas, the terms of which offer have already been published. The attendance was not large, I only about twenty ratepayers being present. An apology for non-attendance was received from Mr O. Cooper. The Mayor, Mr W. A L. Bailey, who presided, stated the object of his having called the meeting was to consider whether the town should be lighted by gas or electricity. He had taken advantage of Mr Truebridge's presence in town to get a proposal from him for installing gas ; he had also asked that gentleman to be present at that meeting, and he (Mr Truebridge) would answer any questions which might be asked. The Mayor said he had written to the Palmerston Borough Council to enquire what the gas cost them, and had ascertained that the cost was £3 15s per lamp per annum. He would now read the concessions required by the Wellington gas syndicate. Clause 1 provided that the Council grant the right to manufacture and supply gas for a term of 21 years from date of agreement, subject to the right reserved to the Council ; (a) to purchase the undertaking at the end of term by givinsf one year's notice, at cost price, less £1 per cent per annum for depreciation ; or (b) to purchase the undertaking at the end of 11 years from date of agreement at the same terms as above, but with a sum for goodwill, such sum to be fixed by arbitration upon the basis of mean profits for the three preceding years. In reply to the Mayor as to whether the 1 per cent meant 1 per cent for each year, Mr Truebridge answered in the affirmative, stating that it meant 21 per cent at the end of '21 years. Clause 2 provided that in the event of neither of the above purchasing clauses being taken advantage of then the Council extend the term for another 21 years, subject to the right reserved to the Council to purchase at any time during such extended period, by giving 1 year's notice, at cost price, less 1 per cent per annum for depreciation ; no consideration for goodwill. 6ome discussion took place on clause 3, which provided that the Council grant the right to erect works upon any land selected, and in the event of their purchasing under any of the fore going clauses to pay for the lease or freehold of such land such price as may be fixed by arbitration. Dr Johnston thought that in the event of the Council purchasing the works of the company the original cost of the laud should be paid, and not the value at the time of the purchase, as such value might have greatly increased since the establishment of the works. Even if there was a depreciation the Council should pay the company what they paid for the land. The question as to probable site was raised, and the Mayor understood that it would be subject to the approval of the Council. In reply to several questions, Mr Truebridge replied that gas could be taken any distance ; that the most convenient site would be selected, but that they could not come into the centre of the town, as they were prevented by law, if it became a nuisance to the adjoining property holders; they would require about an acre of land ; that the question of price to be paid for the land in the event of the Council taking over the works did not seem to be a very important issue, as they did not expect to make anything out of the land, and he would submit it to his principalsMr Cobbe thought the Council should have the right to say whether the works should be put up on a certain section or not. The Mayor replied that if the gas works to be put up were a nuisance their bye-laws could compel the removal of the works. Mr Truebridge was quite willing for the question of site to be submitted to the Council for approval. Clause 4 — Gas to be supplied of not less than 16-candle power, London Gas Referee's Standard. In reply to questions, Mr Truebridge said the gas was from 15 to 16 candle power in Wellington, and that each burner they proposed to use would give 16 candle power light. Clause s—The5 — The maximum nett price to be charged for gas to be 15s per 1000 cubic feet, subject to an increase in the event of a rise in the price of coal of 5s per ton, or ever, upon the prices ruling at this date. Mr Truebrideo, replying to questions, said that the usual thing was to fix the maximnm price at 20s per 1000 feet, but that did not mean they intended to charge that, and was only provided in case coal rose in price. They had to fix the price according to supply and demand and to induce its use. He thought that if the maximum was fixed at 20s it would i'rignten people, so they offered to fix it at 15s with a rise of 5s in the eyent of coal becoming more costly. He would be willing to make the maximum charge 20s, regardless of cost of coal if they wished. He thought the cost here would be about 15s, or 12s 6d cash, down to 9s for cooking and power. Mr Sandilands thought a Sliding scale should be fixed so that the price would go up or down according to the price of coal. Mr Kirton thought it would be absurd to adopt a sliding scale. Mr Truebridge was not able to state if the syndicate would agree to a sliding scale. If the gas was going to pay they would have to get it into every shop, hotel, and residence in the town, and they would have to compete with kerosene and show that gas was cheaper by keeping down the price. It was assumed tbey would be given the sole right to supply gas, but there was nothing to prevent their using electricity. The concessions given in Palmerston were similar to those offered to this Council, excepting the terms there were longer. The maximum price in Palmerston was 203 per 1000. There was no probability of coal rising to such an extent as to compel them to xaise the price, but it was only fair they should be protected against loss. They did not usually charge meter rents. They would fit gas to stoves free of charge. In Palmerston 8s 4d was charged for power as against 12s 6d for lighting. He thought there was provision in the Act for their having to go where asked with the mains. The works could be fitted up ready for lighting within nine months. The cause of the bad gas in Palmerston was that the consumption was greater than anticipated and consequently, the purifiers provided were insufficient and that they could not get other purifiers until twelve months after ordered. Purifiers had now been procured and the gas in Falmerstou was good. The remainder of the clauses in the concessions required were— (6) Gas for

corporation purposes to be supplied at 33| per cent below ordinary net cash price. (7) Council to be supplied with all fittings for corporation lighting at net cost price. (8) The lighting of the Square to be by Wellsback patent incandescent burners ; Council to be supplied with such burners in the first instance free of cost. (9) Council to be indemnified against loss in respect ef any negligence in properly restoring streets which have been disturbed in process of work connected with the gas service. The Mayor thanked Mr Truebridge for his attendance at the meeting and he retired. The Mayor then stated that he had written two letters to the Feilding electric lighting syndicate and had received a verbal reply to the second, to the effect that they required three weeks to enable a canvass to be made to ascertain what support they could get. They, also, wanted a concession of £150 a year from the Council for the Borough lighting. Although he was in favor of electric lighting as against gas the Borough could not afford the amount required by the syndicate and be thought they should get the gas as they could then go easy and spend only what they could afford. Mr Cobbe thought that, with reference to the £150, arrangements might be made with the syndicate for a reduction ; and that the delay asked for was to give an opportunity to find out the cost of plant, if the original shareholders were still prepared to form a syndicate and as to what support they would get from the town people. Dr Johnston thought they should have the two schemes before them before they could decide on which to have. If they couldn't get the electric light, them let them have gas at once. Mr W. G. Haybittle said the opinion of the Council seemed to be in favor of the electric light, and he suggested, as the Feilding syndicate appeared to be lukewarm, the Council's inviting outsiders to make an offer to install the electric light. It was a matter they shouldn't hurry over. The Mayor thought this suggestion was very good and they might make enquiries. Mr G. W. Fowles thought if they could get the company to take up the water gas it would be cheaper, and superior to coal gas. Mr P. Thomson replied that it was more dangerous. The Mayor said that after getting a reply from the Feilding syndicate and procuring what information he could he would call another meeting to further consider the qnestion. The meeting then adjourned.