The Daily News MONDAY, JANUARY 22. THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8034, 22 January 1906, Page 2

The Daily News MONDAY, JANUARY 22. THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.

Ai'Tiii! considerable delay, which seoms to have been unavoidable, the Now Plymouth Municipality's electric lighting scheme is now a " fait accompli." Probably the public did not outer into the spirit of Friday's functions with any marked enthusiasm, but, on the other band, the appearance of the illmniimnt was awaited expectantly, and criticised by open minds almost wholly on its merits. It was evident that the public expectatiins in this respect were more than realised, and that the popular first impression was one of satisfaction with the quality of the light. The illumination of the streets was as effective as could have been anticipated by the most sanguine, and was, further, from our own observation, considerably superior to installations we have witnessed in various parts of the colony. The Borough Council is therefore to be congratulated on having procured so fully equipped and up-to-date a plant when they were about it. There is ground for belief that the Council might have been better advised had it at the oll'-set purchased the Gas Company outright, and loft electricity Jin the meantime severely alone, but the Council, in its wisdom, decided on electricity, and, having completed the works - although at much greater cost than had ever been anticipated

by ratepayers—it is to be hoped the position will be cheerfully accepted. The extra cost, although unexpected, has no doubt been justified by the extension of the scheme at the outset. While it would no doubt have been possible to have kept within the estimates by providing only the limited service originally intended, there is little doubt that the Council was wise in extending the system and providing for contingencies that, would, in the very near future, have had to bo undertaken. The increase in the municipality's indebtedness need not cause the ratepayers any apprehension, provided they are loyal to their own interests, There is no valid reason why the Council's undertaking should not prove, not only self-supporting, but a source of profit. It only requires that those responsible for the management shall provide a light that will be its own recommendation, and that the business policy bo directed along popular lines. In this connection the Council has fixed a scale of charges which, in comparison with that of most centres, is most reasonably low, alike for lighting and for power. We confidently anticipate that within n very short time the demand for connections will greatly exceed the Mayor's very moderate estimate, and that as the advantage-; of electricity become more universally recognised, tho financial position of the borough will be strengthened rather than handicapped by the entei prise of the municipality.