LEVIN STRÈET LIGHTING.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 24 May 1917, Page 3

LEVIN STRÈET LIGHTING.

(To The Editor.) Sir,—l wish to enter my humble protest, through your columns against what' I believe to' be a serious retrograde step contemplated by our newly elected borough council. I refer to the removal of the pedestal lamps which have for several years adorned our towtn and added so much to the appearance of omr main street. The proposal to get rid of the central lamps was considered by the previous council and turned down. The fact that the present-council was only elected on the 25th April, and' within a

riionth a 'drastic pulling down policy is adopted with regard to these lamps, seems to indicate that no very lengthy consideration has been given to a very serious and important 'matter for the town. lam quite sure that councillor® desire to work for the best interests of the burgesses, but have they not acted hastily in the matter? There is another reason which influences me in this protest, and that is the question of the trees. "Out with the central lamps!" means "Out with the trees!" This is as certain as that night follows day. It does not take an expert to .find out that if a, system of side-street lighting is adopted in Levin, the trees must go. As a friend of the trees I should be very sorry to see them removed: If there is any particular lamp that is in any-1 way a source of danger, by all means remove it ; but to take out the lot to save a, little extra attention and expense, seems to me a backward move, and we do not want -Levin to become mere village-like, but rather to rank more and more as a. progressive town. If it is desirable to detach arc lamps from the present system of lighting to lessen the pressure, which on occasions is supposed to break mantles and glnbos, more than one way. is open to effect this end without the removal of the central lamps. The pedestal at the junction of Oxford and Queen streets has been in its place for over fifteen years and was erected by public subscriptions. At its base many important civic and other functions have taken place. It is a refuge for pedestrians when crossing the street against the attack of motor cars and cycles. Will the council deprive the citizens of this ancient landmark and return the cash to the surviving subscribers. I hope, Sir, -before/ the council confirm its resolution to remorve the pedestal lamps, it will, after further and full consideration arrive at a wiser and happer decision for the good and benefit of Levin, —I am, etc., P. W. GOLDSMITH.