LIGHTING OF STREETS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1510, 19 July 1905, Page 2

LIGHTING OF STREETS.

THE GAS COMPANY’S REPLY,

le At the Borough Council meeting last jt night a letter from the managing director d of the Gisborne Gas Company re coraa plaints made oa several occasions recently ;e at Council mootings in regard to the k inefficiency of the lighting service was b read. Careful enqu'rie3 had been made, 8 and it was found : (1) That the company it had exercised every possible osre in attandit ing to the street lights; (2) that a large ), number o£ the old square lanterns used y are out of date, and were never intended Ito carry inoandesoont burners; and further, that they have been in service for over 20 years and are worn out, and should be replaced by lamps of a more modern and efficient pattern; (3) that it should be remembered that outside light- . ing is quite different from inside, not only i in regard to the effects of tho weather, . insects, dust, etc., on mantles and burners’ but also on account of larrikins deliberately destroying mantles, etc., by shaking tho poets' or smashing tho lanterns with stones, more especially in the outlying portions of the town ; (4) that the company uses annually a very substantial sum in its maintenance of street lamps. In a servioe of this kind it was not possible to carry on without receiving occasional complaints, but on the whole the work bad beon done faithfully and well. Ho suggested ihs,t she Council, in order to i acquaint itself with tho nature of tho service, should take over the lighting, cleaning, and extinguishing of the lamps. [ In regard to repairs, the Company would, if desired, repair any lamps, burners, etc., as may from time to time ha pointed out, at net cost. If the Council agreed to this suggestion, the Company would, of course, only charge for the gas used, computing the sam.o by trial meters, which would necessarily have to be fixed, as the control of the consumption would be out of their hands.

Cr Harding spoke in fayor of the Council acquiring the gasworks. Ho intended to movo in this direction at s,n early date. The Mayor ouggested the letter should be referred to the Public Works Committee.

Cr Bright: The Gas Company could have put their answer in a few words, “ If you don’s like what wo are doing, you can do it yourself.”

Cr Miller : It is hardly tho answer one would expect from a public company. Cr Lysnar : I do not think the letter is in any way discourteous. Tho communication wr'reaei-aed. .....