THE LIGHTING QUESTION.

Shannon News, 17 June 1921, Page 3

THE LIGHTING QUESTION.

COMMITTEE FAVOURS ELECTRICITY WITH COUNCIL’S OWN PLANT. (To the Editor.) Sir, —In your issue of the 14th inst. you published certain statements regarding street lighting in Shannon which call for a word ol' explanation. In justice to the Lighting Committee of the Shannon Borough Council it is only right that the public should know' the full facts. The Committee suggested to the Council in its first report that a temporary system should be taken up—something that would benefit evei-yone, in the outskirts as well as in the centre of the town—and that could be installed immediately to be of benefit during the present winter, as at present the town is in darkness. Of course there can be no two opinions about a permanent system of electric light being the ideal system, and that this should be proceeded with as soon as practicable. The Committee proposed making a trial of a sample benzine lantern This the Council approved ojU. the Committee to make its final recommendation re this light at the meeting of the Council on Friday, the 17th inst. The Committee were also asked to inquire into the proposal to link up with Mr McMillan’s plant, and to report to the Council on the 17th inst. Both these reports will be submitted at that meeting of the Council, and the matter then lies with the Council.

To help the Council to come to a decision re the linking-up with Mr McMillan’s plant, we would like to ask the Mayor how the amount of £2 10s per week for running expenses is arrived at. From the information supplied to the Committee by Mr McMillan, the Council will have to supply its own man to run the engine, supply benzine (estimated at one tin he added temporary housing for bat iery, temporary brick store for benzine. repairs and renewals, interest, insurance, depreciation, and temporary installation According to the information the Committee have been able" to gather, to put the running expenses, including interest, depreciation and other charges at 50s per week for the lighting., of this town and outskirts is totally inadequate. With regard, to the benzine system, though the Committee’s report is not yet handed to the Council, seeing that so munch has been handed to the Press, we feel that we have a right to make public the fact .that our final l recommendation to the Council on the benzine system is against its in- j stallation, which recommendation will be incorporated in our report to the Council on Friday evening next. j If the Council decides to go on with j an electrical scheme before Mangahao j power is available, then the Commit- j tee strongly favours the Council puf j ting in its own plant, for the follow- ( ing reasons:— 1. That the plant will be absolutely under the control of ihe Council and on the Council’s own property. 2. That sufficient power can be generated to supply the houses as well as the streets with electric light. * 3. That the running costs will be materially reduced if sufficient householders will instal Ihe light. Yours, etc., J. H. FARGIIER. E. J. S. SPENCER, EDWIN BUTT. Lighting Committee, Shannon Borough Council. June 15 1921.