Te Aroha Borough Council.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42788, 7 October 1905, Page 2

Te Aroha Borough Council.

SPECIAL MEETING. A special meeting of the Te Aroha Borough Council was held last night, to consider the prices submitted for charging for lighting buildings, etc. There were present:—MrjP. O’Meagher (deputy-Mayor, in the chair), Crs A. F. Thomas, J. Rowe, E. Devey and W. Hetherington. Mr Fenn (of S-euart and Fenn) was also present, and reported progress made in connection with the installing of the elec ric light. The cost of the light per lamp per annum will be as follows: Private dwellings and boardinghouses: Living rooms, 16 c.p., £1 ; bedrooms 16 c.p., 12s; 8 c.p., 10s and 6s. Hotels: 16 c.p., 25s for all rooms, except bedrooms. The latter will be charged 12s and 6s. Shops and offices: 16 c.p., £l. Halls: lAd per 16 c.p. lamp until midnight; the maxiutn charge to be 25s per annum. Churches: Half rates of dwellings. Friendly Societies halls: £1 per annum, or by special arrangement. Tourist Department: 25s per 16 c.p. lamp per year. A good deal of discussion took place in regard to the prices quoted. Cr Eowe moved and Cr Devy seconded, that the prices be ad apted.— Carried.

Cr Hetherington thought that shops should not be compared with hotels. He thought the Council would receive strong objections to the contract system. Mr Fenn explained that the meter system would n 4 pay the Council. The meters cost 63s each, which would make the cost £45 more per year for working expenses. The meter would also cause slight loss of current. He advised the Council to submit the price t-i the c msumors and if they were not satisfied they need not have the light. A. private house of six rooms would cost £5 4s per annum. The deputy-Mayor thought that if a uniforn charge for hotels were made it would be be ter. Mr Fenn said all the lights would be used. The deputy-Mayor thought the hotels would pay more than the whple of the main street. Mr Hetherington: Suppose prohibition was carried Mr Fenn did not think it would affect the town. The deputy- M ayor was in favour of i educing the cost of lights in diningrooms and those not used all the evening. Mr Fenn said lights in hotels were burned longer than those in private houses. The deputy-Mayor wished to know what would be the charge for billiard rooms. Mr Fenn thought about £2 10 per annum. Mr Hetherington thought the price of 8 c.p. lights for shops should be reduced. , Cr Cr Eowe thought that all would then use the light The deputy-Mayor was in favour cf charging per annum for halls. Cr Thomas thought a committe should be appointed to consider the question of charging halls and churc lies. Cr Eowq though* the matter should be settled at once. It was finally decided to charge the rates above mentioned. The charge per lamp for installing the light will be 255. Cr Devey moved and Cr Thomas seconded, that the Clerk be instructed to advertise in the Herald for the services of an electrical engineer at a salary commencing at £3 3s per week. Or Devey gave notice of motion that a by-law be passed to license electrical engineers practicing in the Borough. Cr Devey reported on matters in connection with the sewer in Bridgestreet, and stated that parties wished to connect throe drains to run into the sower. Councillors were not in favour of such a course, and it was decided to consult the engineer on the matter.