ELECTRIC LIGHT LOAN PROPOSALS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 26 November 1907, Page 2

ELECTRIC LIGHT LOAN PROPOSALS

ADOPTED iiV THE ISOUOUWI COUNCIL. Tliu Borough Council last night iliscus=ed the proposal submitted by the Electric Lighting Committee to ask the ratepayers to authorise a loan of £O2OO for the extension of the electric light system. The chairman of the Committee, Air C. W. iirowue, explained that the i'itzroy extension was estimated. to produce £213 per annum, exclusive of the possibility of suburban" street lighting. The estimated returns were: From power at chilling room, £UO per annum; stone-crushing, £3O; stone-hauling, £33; private lighting, say, 30 consumers, £1)0. This would be earned upon the expenditure of £I2OO, without increasing the stall'. The duplication of the transmission line from the power-house to the distributing-station was an urgent matter, anil one that would save the Council a good deal of current that escaped now. With regard to the £2OOO asked for stock, he said some of the lines in the town were carrying excessive loads, and new transformers were required. The light was becoming very popular, and the lines had to be extended, in [last loans no amounts had been specially put aside for private connections, but in this loan such provision was made. 'The Committee, of course, would not proceed straightway to expend the money. The growth of the electric light business had been phenomenal. The department had '•turned the corner," and was showing a prolit. By the time it became necessary to have a further extension he thought the department would have sufficient from its earnings to [iay the interest. He moved that the Council take the necessary steps to raise the loan.

Cr. Morey seconded. Cr. Bellringer said there was nothing to do but to ask the burgesses for the loan. It was unfortunate that the original scheme had been on such a small scale, but of course no one could have foreseen the growth of the business. He thoughtthe committee N was asking too little, lie (lid not believe altogether in allocating loan moneys for special works. He referred to the failure of the gaslight on Saturday, and said there was every necessity to provide a good supply of an auxiliary luminant. lie moved an amendment that the amount of the proposed loan be increased to dJJIIUO.

Cr. Morey thought .1:5200 would suffice. Cr. Collis congratulated the committee on the detailed report of expenditure and revenue presented. Cr. Mills regretted having been absent from the committee meetings, and said he had been ,of Cr. licllriuger's opinion, but diligent inquiry led him to., favor the scheme as submitted by the committee.

The loan proposals were unanimously adopted by the Council.