STREET LIGHTING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 465, 10 August 1909, Page 2

STREET LIGHTING.

CRITICISED BY THE COUNCIL.

At last night’s Council meeting Cr Ross moved that the Town Clerk lay before the Council all particulars with reference to street lighting, and the terms of the contract existing between the Council and the Gas Coy, In speaking to the motion, he said that during the week before last none of the street lamps in Johnston Street were lit for nine nights, and on Sunday night at six o’clock there were no lamps at all alight. He had spoken to one of the employees of the Gas Coy. in reference to the lamps in Johnston Street, and had been told by the man that his instructions were not to light those lamps. Cr Ross contended that it was unfair for the ratepayers to have to pay for something that they were not getting. The agreement for lighting was fixed up by the old Council, and the new councillors did not know what the terms were, hence his reason for asking for these particulars.

Cr Gibbs said he was pleased that Cr Ross had brought this matter up. He had noticed on several occasions that different lamps were not alight. He considered that in the present manager the Gas Company had got a good conscientious man, but they were asking him to do more than they could expect to get any one man to do. He was satisfied that the Council were paying for more lights than they were getting. Further, all lamps were supposed to be kept burning until midnight, but this was never done, all the lamps being out by about half past ten every night- He concluded his remarks by saying ; “We are now reaping what we have sown in not having the Gas Works ourselves. ’

Crs Adams and Jenks also said that they had noticed that certain lamps had not been alight on different occasions. The latter remarked that he considered they were paying for a-fourth more lighting than they were getting. The Mayor said that the Council should refuse to pay for the lighting if they were not getting it. The agreement between the Company and the Council could be perused by the councillors at any time. The motion was seconded by Cr Rimmer and carried. The Town Clerk then read the agreement which provided that the street lamps must be lighted half-an-hour after sunset each evening, and kept burning until midnight, except on three nights each mouth, two nights before full moon and the night of full moon, when the lamps need not be lit at all. *

It was decided, on the motion of Cr Robinson, seconded by Cr Ross, that the Gas Company be requested to act up to the agreement re lighting.