HAWERA LIGHTING

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1940, Page 9

HAWERA LIGHTING

LACK OF BRIGHTNESS BUSINESSMEN ACTING Condemnation of the lighting in the business area of Hawera was expressed at a meeting of the Hawera Chamber of Commerce on Monday night. when it was decided to confer with the Hawera Retailers' Association with a view to placing further proposals before the Hawera Borough Council. "Like a morgue" was how a stranger described Hawera on a Sunday night, =aid Mr W. V. Patterson, who introduced Ihe subject. Returning to Hawera after an ahsence of some time, he was struck by the poor lighting in the town in comparison to other New Zealand towns and New Plyrnouth, Stratford and Eltham. "The lighting of a town is a municipal affair and should not be left to the individual" said Mr. Patterson. who suggested that Ihe chamber should confer with the Hawera Retailers' Association with a view to having the matter taken up with the Hawera Borough Council again. , . , The boulevard effect that was gained by other towns in Taranaki was needed at Hawera said Mr. G. C. Harris. "The council has decided that the library should be free but the lights are more important to the town than the library," said Mr. E. R. Berryman. Mr. L. H. Clapham. Mayor of Hawera: Did not the council during Mr. J. E. CampbeH's time offer to pay £200 a year towards the lighting? The retailers turned it down. Mr. E. Dixon: The counctl would not meet the retailers. Mr. Clapham: It was the retailers who turned down the council. Mr. Dixon: Was it not the other way? The Stratford, Eltham and New Plyrnouth lighting systems were controlled by the municipality, said Mr. Clapham, who asked whether the Hawera retailers would be prepared to pay the same rates. "Would the rates be imposed over the business area or the whole area?" asked Mr. Berryman. "I consider that the rates we pay m High Street and Union Street entitle us to a municijSal lighting system," declared Mr. Dixon. Mr Berryman: What would be the cost of a system? Would it be too much for the ratepayers to pay? Mr. Clapham: No, I don't think so. At the suggestion of Mr. Patterson it was agreed that the matter should be referred to the Hawera Retailers' Association with a view to placing a joint proposal before the borough council for the installation of a better system, Mr. Patterson being appointed to wait on the retailers' association.