The Globe. SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1447, 5 October 1878, Page 2

The Globe. SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 1878.

A correspondent a few days back called attention to the question of the extinction of the city gas lamps. The suggestion contained in the letter is to the effect that the lamps should bo lighted later, and the time thus gained utilised, so as to enable the hour of extinction to bo extended. This appears to us to have the merit of being exceedingly sensible, as the present system has certainly many inconveniences. So far as the City Council is concerned, or rather the Lighting Committee, the point raised by our correspondent has not been overlooked. On March 15 th of last year the committee expressed an opinion that 'the lamps should remain lighted until 3 a.m. Now it must bo obvious that if, nearly twelve months ago, the necessity was apparent to the committee, it must be very much more so now. Since that time our population has increased very rapidly. The city has extended, and, as a matter of course, with the growth of population has come an increased ratio of crime. Therefore, it apjpears to us that to place the whole city at the mercy of any gang of criminals for several hours by extinguishing the public lamps, is an utter absurdity. No doubt this was the feeling which induced the Lighting Committee to pxass the resolution referred to. The increased cost of the extension of the hours, as furnished by the Gas Company, was put as follows; —Under the old system, to 1 a.m., £7 15s and £9 per lamp; with the extension to 3 a.m. £8 13s 9d and £lO 2s 6d per lamp). As no steps ap)poar to have been taken by the Lighting Committee to carry the proposed extension of hours into practical effect, wo are led to the conclusion that they doomed the cost too much. Of the advantages to be gained by increased protection to life and property by extending the hours of gaslight there can bo no doubt, and further, that the time has now come owing to the natural progress of the city, when it is imperatively necessary that some change must bo made. Referring to our correspondent’s suggestion, it may be noticed that the only way in which it could bo made available would be to increase the staff of lampffighters. This would entail expanse, because the Gas Compjany could hardly be expected to keep a largo staff of men for the purpose of lighting the city lamps without receiving some additional subsidy. It then becomes a question whether the short additional time gained—which could hardly bo mole than an hour—is worth the amount it would cost to obtain it. At the best, moreover it would only bo a temporary measure, as ere long the citizens wall have to consider, not only the question of longer hours of lighting:, but also of increased number,of lamps in the city. In view of the increase of hours, the Gas Company suggested some time back to the Lighting Committee that it would bo far more satisfactory to both parties if the pmblic lamps were piaid for on what is known as the average-meter system. That is to say, several lampis in particular localities will be furnished with meters, and all the lamps in that locality charged for according to the register of the meter. The city would thus bo paying for the gas actually consumed, and not a lump) sum per lamp. This has been considered by the Lighting Committee as likely to bo an improvement on the present pilau, and on July 6th of this year tenders wore called for eight meter-lamps, which have been erected in various parts of the city. When this system is introduced —which we believe will be shortly—the ratepayers will bo enabled to arrive at the exact cost of the extension of the hours of lighting. As it is more than prrobable that the meter system will bo in operation very shortly, it seems scarcely worth while to carry out the suggestions of our correspondent so far as the extension of hours go. But it is just as well to remember this when the meter system is introduced, and pirovent an hour’s gas, for which wo shall have to pay, being wasted. The direction in which wo should like to see improvements made is to divest the Gas Company of all control over the lamps, except the suppffy of the gas from the works. Let the City Council take the entire charge of the lamps as regards cleaning and lighting, &c., and they would then be enabled to introduce any improvements they might desire without having first to submit them to the Gas Company. That we shall have to extend the hours during which the lamps remain lighted is very certain, and the sooner it is discussed and settled the better.