LIGHTING THE THAMES BY ELECTRICITY. Thames, August 24.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 294, 29 August 1888, Page 5

LIGHTING THE THAMES BY ELECTRICITY. Thames, August 24.

As your readers are , already aware, the Thames Borough Council have for some time past been seriously considering the advisability of lighting the toAvn by electricity, and have been obtaining the fullest information regarding the different systems in operation at Home and in 'America. The arrival here of Mr Walter Prince, electrical engineer of Dunedin, the representative of the well-known Thomson-Houston Electric Company therefore happens very opportunely, as from that gentleman's practical experience in the South, and especially at Reef ton, he is able to supply the Council with more Valuable details than could possibly be obtained by any amount of correspondence. Mr Prince waited upon the Mayor and Cr. Kenshaw, two members of the committee appointed by the Council to collect information on .the subject, yesterday, and explained that he has in Auckland a plant which comprises 5 arc lamps of ls2oo candle power each, 4 incandescent lamps of 65 candle power each, and 10 smaller incandescent lamps of 16 candle power each. The 5 arc and the 4 large incandescent lamps he would suggest might be placed at the intersection of streets where the light would be tin-own in four directions, as for instance in Burkestreet at the head of the wharf, at the Koyal Hotel, Bank of New Zealand Corner, or any other intersections further on Pollenstreet. The 10 small incandescent lamps, which are only 16 candle power each, could be used in by-streets or in public buildings. It only requires seven or eight horse-power to run this plant, and this Mr Prince believed could be easily obtainable from the water supply belonging to the borough. The only cost which this plant would entail would be at the outside £50 a year. All the expenditure would be for oil ; carbons for the arcs, which cost .£6 per I,oooft, 3ft lasting 16 hours (or two nights) per lamp : and the price of new incandescent lamps, which is only 6s each, equal to one year's lighting per lam p. M r Prince offered to erect a plant complete and keep it going for one month, at the end of which, if the Council were satisfied, they would have to pay him between £500 and £600. To show the saving that would be effected by such a plant as offered by Mr Prince, say it cost £550, and £50 annually to keep it in operation ; as against this, the cost of lighting by gas the wharf, Public * Library, Fire Brigade engine sheds, and the streets is £210 per annum, exclusive of the County Council offices. Mr Prince's pioposal to light the streets of the borough by electricity was considered by the Borough Council at a meeting last night, when it was decided to refer the j whole matter to the Lighting Committee , to inquire into and bring up a report. Mr Prince left for Auckland by the Enterprise last night.