Sidelights

Levin Daily Chronicle, 22 May 1917, Page 3

Sidelights

A LEVIN BOROUGH MATTER. A recommendation that the pedestals standing in the centre of the road be removed, and that extra lights be put on the side of the streets, was discussed at the Levin Borough Council last night.

Councillor Matheson explained to the council that to keep the present system going new lamps would have to be secured; and in about seven years these lamps would need replacing again. The type of street lanterns that would be put up at the side c.f the street would last indefinitely.

The mayor expressed his opinion that the pedestals should not be touched in the meantime.

'Councillor Parker seconded Councillrr Matheson's proposal that lamps be erected at the side of the street. Be said that this would reduce pressure on mantles, and the cost of maintain-. ,ing lights (in private houses; As in ; the streets) would b6 /decreased. The- present lamps were done; new lights had to be procured; so why not get themost effective? Councillor Bryson remarked that a great deal-of trouble had been caused in people's residences by the "booster" system; it had not been spoken of much, but it was an old trouble. ~ Councillor Mackenzie supported the proposal to change the lighting system. He agreed that the desirable place for the lights was the centre of the streets, hut after hearing the gas manager, it seemed to the gas committee that there was no way of avoiding the change. Councillor Aitken agreed with. Councillor Mackenzie as to the pedestals; but inasmuch as the gas manager assured them that just as good an effect would be got from the lighting at the side of the street, they must accept the manager's report.

Councillor Lancaster doubted if even lamps on both sides of the street would give as much light as the present central system. 'In any case he would like to see the pedestals left where they now were. Councillor Broome supported the report ; the arguments in favor of the change seemed to him incontrovertible. The mayor said the council should seriously consider whether it was not worth an expenditure of from ( £l2 to £15 per year to enable the council to retain the lamps in the centre of the main street. The - "breakage pressure" could be minimised very considerably by haying the lights put out by hand ©very night, instead of by the present automatic system. He believed the new lamps to be procured would at last at least until the Government's electric light'- '..supply scheme was completed.

The gas manager, by invitation' ofthe mayor, addressed the council. He said it was unlikely that the' old-style lamp could be procured in the domin-' ion at present. ■He also spoke in favor of the change! from the viewpoint of effectiveness. If) sidelights were put' in there would he a ibetter-lit street than Levin had at present. There was almost darkness Jbetvec«n the pedestals at the present time. •In answer to Councillor Aitken, Mr Burrell said it would be possible - to erect the new style of lamp on the old pedestals, but he did not advise that being d'one; he doubted if one of the new styte lamps per pedestal would be of sufficient lighting power.

On a vote being taken, the motion for the change was carried by eight votes to two, the minority being the mayor and Councillor Lancaster.