COMMUNITY LIGHTING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5177, 12 September 1927, Page 3

COMMUNITY LIGHTING.

A GOOD SCHEME.

SUCCESS IN MANY TOWNS. A special report on community lighting was placed before the Thames: Valley Electric Power Board at its meeting on Tuesday last by the engineer, Mr N. G. McLeod. In his report Mr McLeod stated that he had obtained information showing what was being done in other places in which community lighting had been adopted.

In Ashburton the charge was £4 10s each for 150-watt lamps, with 10s per annum maintenance, and the hours, were from dusk to midnight. At Cambridge the charge was £3 for 200-watt lamps, and the hours were from 6.15 p.m. to 3 a.m. No maintenance was charged. The Central Board charged £3 for 100-watt lamps, with 30s cost of lamp, and the hours were from dusk to 11 p.m.

Dannevirke, IOO'-watt, £3 10s, dusk to 11.30.

Eltham, 70-watt £3 7s 6d, 100-watt £4 10s hours dusk to 11 P.m.

New Plymouth, 200' c.p., £3 13s 4d, dusk to 10.30 p.m.

Palmerston North, 100-watt, £3 10s, dusk to 10.30.

Tauranga, 150-watt, £3, dusk to midnight.

Te Awamutu, 100-watt, £3, dusk to midnight.

Waitemata, 100-watt, £3 (whole cost of lamps charged), dusk to midnight.

Except where seated, no charge was made for lamps. Certain stipulations were- made in some cases. For instance, a maximum number of lamps must be installed in each group ; payment must be in advance,, and an agreement must be entered into. To ensure the best results, a uniform height and distance from shop windows was adopted. and, as far as possible’, an even distance between lamps. Uniform fittings and size of lamps were also most advisable., The system appeared to be very popular, Dannevirke-hav-ing 158 community lights, Nelson 200, New Plymouth 232, and Eltham 85. Except in two of the above carets the licensee bore the whole cost of the installation. Each supply authority had reported that from their point of view the scheme was financially satisfactory, that consumers were highly pleaded with it, and that it was a good advertisement not only to the customer but to the electricity department. It had been, stated that where the licensee provided the installation, even tenants with short leases did not hesitate to take advantage of this sclrem®. The engineer recommended that the Board adopt the scheme, and that the general conditions be as follows: —

(1) The Board to insial the lamps and fittings complete at its own cost, and maintain the whole instalation except the amps'.

< (2) The consumer to pay for all lamp replacements, and keep the filings clean. ( (3) Payment for supply to be in advance monthly, six-weekly, or quarterly, aa the case may be.. (4) The charge to be at the rate of £3 per annum for 100-watt lamps increasing for larger sized lamps at the rate of 35s per 100-watt, ! that is the charge for 200-watt lamps would be at the rate of £4 15si per annum, etc. The minimum charge for any lamp to be £3 per annum. (5) Lamps and fittings in any particular group must be uniform in appearance, alignment, and power. (6) Not less than six lamps to be included in any group, otherwise a higher rate may be charged. The rates offered were the same as for street lights. The question of supplying lights inside shop windows, upon the community lighting system, had also been brought up. Whether inside window lights would be necessary or not would depend upon the depth of the window show and the nature, colouring, and arrangement of goods. It was a case for the individual consumer, but beautiful results could be obtained if window lighting was done properly. He would recommend that, provided inside lighting was arranged to the satisfaction of the Board (the installation being paid for by the consumer, including the maintenance and lamp renewals) electricity be supplied at the rate of £3 per annum per 100watt of rated lamp capacity with a minimum of £3 per annum per cronsumer for each inside window supply from the community lighting mains. This arrangement would allow of five 20-watt lamps being connected for a charge of £3 per annum. For both inside and outside lights supply would be available for every night in the year, including Sundays. It was, decided to hold the report over for consideration at the next meeting so as to give members an opportunity of studying the details and consulting the chambers of commerce in their own towns.