LIGHTING THE HARBOR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8061, 17 March 1906, Page 2

LIGHTING THE HARBOR.

The Mayor of New Plymouth, and Crs. Brooking (Chairman of the Borough Electric Lighting Committee) and Ewing, with Mr Black (Borough Electrical engineer) waited on the Harbour Board on Friday in reference to the matter of supplying electric light to the wharves at the harbor. An offer was made to erect a line to allow free light about 7000 e p. at the harbor for a loug term free, if the Board will undertake cost of wiring from the distributing station and the poles and wiring from Cutfield-street to the end of the wharf, the Borough Council to have the right to take consumers along the line of route.

The Gas Company submitted an offer to extend the gas mains to the wharf at an annual charge, the Board to pay interest on the cost of extension, cost of pipes to port light, etc., to pay for mantles, fittings, etc., at cost price, and gas at seven shillings per 100 feet nett cash, the Company t-o be allowed to supply consumers en route from the mains, on the understanding that if support warranted it, the annual charge would be reduced.

l'hc offers were discussed in commit tee, and a special meeting of the Worki Committee called to further investigati the offers made.

The present lighting arrangement! arc somewhat costly, as the services o: an expert have to be retained to rui the Board's own engine, and elect™ lighting plant.

At the Borough Council meeting on Friday, the Electric Lighting Committee's report showed that the cost of erecting the electric light wires would be £OOO, or £750 it the Government msistcd on the whole of the wires being insulated; fixe plant as far as the root of the breakwater to become the property of the Council. Explanations were made to the efEect that the current would bo available always, and that it would not be necessary to engage a man to ' light up,' as suggested by a Board member.