LIGHTING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3758, 2 March 1907, Page 2

LIGHTING.

TO THK EDITOR. Sir, —I noticed a small news item in your last paper about an agitation being afoot to prevent the Borough Council giving away the lighting rights to a private company and objecting to the Council dealing with the lighting question, because all the Councillors were not present. Some people in Foxton, sir, are always growling, and will continue to growl. Everybody knows that the ratepayers had an opportunity several months ago to say whether they would raise a loan to light the town. I and several others supported the loan but the majority of ratepayers were so much alive that they didn’t turn up to the poll and the proposal was lost. Anyhow, the proposal was brought forward in a very half-hearted fashion. There are a number of people in Foxton who wouldn’t move to push the town forward unless someone followed them up at the point of the bayonet and urged them forward. And when the Council do make a move these people suddenly yawn and stretch themselves, wake up and start to growl. I hope the Council will not allow the growls of the sleepy ones to frighten them. Ycu mention, sir, that there was not a full Council present to decide this matter. Who were away ? I will tell you: Cr Moore, one of the best Councillors we have got, and who could have helped the Council considerably because of his legal knowledge; Cr Austin, who from the very first day he got into the Council, has not in my humble opinion been a success; and Cr Gray, who is a councillor by name only, to save the Council the expense of an election, and Cr. Shadbolt. Now, what have these growlers . got to say about a full Council. The brains of the Council and those who, I think, have the welfare of the town at heart, were present and deserve the thanks of the people for what they have done, and I hope every one of them will be returned again. I was against the private company affair lighting the town at first, but I now think it is the better way of dealing with the matter. I hope, sir, someone else more able than myself will deal with this question and I hope you will publish this letter in full. Thanking you in anticipation for taking up so much of your space. —Yours etc., Light.