The Daily News THURSDAY, MAY 24. LIGHTEN OUR DARKNESS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8118, 24 May 1906, Page 2

The Daily News THURSDAY, MAY 24. LIGHTEN OUR DARKNESS .

About two months ago the question of continuing the street lighting from midnight to daylight was discussed by the New Plymouth Borough Council, and negatived, the majority of the Council, in its wisdom, holding that lighting after midnight was unnecessary and needless expenditure. Although we had no doubt the Council was ill-advised in its action, we refrained from making any comment, as the matter at that time was not one of urgency, and we hoped that as the winter progressed the

Council would recognise that a mis take had beer, made, and take the necessary steps to give'effect to what is undoubtedly an urgent want, Apparently nothing has yet been done, although we understand the Mayor is in favor of the proposal. It is not so much on the score of public conveni-

ence as for the protection of pioperty " that we desire to see all-night lighting, It was long ago recognised that > all-night lighting was a necessity in the business portion of the town, and certain of the gas lamps were accordingly kept going until daylight. Since the Council installed its t own electric system of street lighting, every light in the town has been extinguished at midnight. * * # f

Whatever the present Coqucil may think, we have no hesitation in affirming that the general public, especially those whose stake is in the business portion of the town, have not experienced the same feeling of comparative security that they had under the old conditions. The work of the police and the watchmen on night duty has bepn considerably hampered ftnd rendered much more arduous, Undesirable characters not infrequently honor New Plymouth with their presence, and for all the protection the Borough

Council affords property owners, it might almost be said they have offered a premium to evil doing. Only a Borough Councillor would expect' that the police could keep an adequate watch upon individuals and property in the almost impenetrable darkness that succeeds the extinguishing of the street lamps. If the question of expense were the guiding factor in the Council's decision, it would still be but a weak argument in support of t'icir action, for it is as much the duty of the administrators*

jf the public rates to afford security .igainst burglars and other evil doers, as against fire and i nsanitation. Bu' the question of expense couli scarce to be said to have been considered a stumbling block, as the Councillors had before them the estimate of the Electrical Engineer, that to continue the street lighting from midnight to daylight would involve the Council in an extra cost of £3 per month, foi renewals and labor. * * *

The cost of tho current need not be taken into account, as, at the worst, it is only a book-keeping entry Tin machinery at the power iiousimil distributing station is now kept going all night for tho benefitol i few private consumers, at a loss, which would be more thai compensated for wen the benefil extended to the whole towi-, by tin extra security that would accrue from all-night street lighting. When there are thousands of pounds worth of property at stake, it is idle to cavi at a paltry expenditure of £3G pei mmim for the protection of thai property. The cost is so small thai we have no compunction in advocating the illuminating of the whole of the street lighting system, but. wo insist tlut no time should be lost in lighting tlie busi ness area, the cost of which would probably not exceed £lO to il2pei annum,' surely a minimum burglai insurance premium. On the score of publie convenience, also, the value ol all -night lighting is incalculable, and it is to be hoped the Council will take the earliest opportunity of reconsidering the matter, and showing by theii actions that they have the interest* of the whole of the ratepayers at heart.