The Waipukurau Press. Friday, April 6, 1906. THE LIGHTING QUESTION.

Waipukurau Press, Volume I, 6 April 1906, Page 2

The Waipukurau Press. Friday, April 6, 1906. THE LIGHTING QUESTION.

—o At its last meeting the Town Board seriously considered the question of lighting the principal streets of the town, and the result of its deliberations took a tangible form, in that the ratepayers are to be asked whether they will favour or reject a proposal to borrow the sum of £3OO for lighting purposes. Two different lighting systems from three firms were before the board, and the chairman, who had evidently enquired fully into the cost and quality of the different oilers, gave the Board the benefit of his researches and conclusions. The representatives of the Kitson light were prepared to erect eight or nine lamps, each of one thousand candle power, for the sum of £29 per lamp, the whole costing about £5O per annum to maintain, and the cost of oil being less than 2d per hour per lamp. One of the acetylene gas firms offered to instal nine street lamps for a total sum of £259, the cost being, said the chairman, 4d per hour. Another acetylene firm asked £3OO for nine lamps; estimated cost, about 7d per hour. As was remarked at the meeting, if the Board wished to adopt only

street lighting, the Kitson light appeared to be the best and cheapest illuminant for the purpos6; but if the Board desired to become purveyors of light for both street and domestic purposes, then — short of coal gas or electricity — acetylene was undoubtedly the system to adopt. For the proposed Iqan of £3OO, which would be extinguished in 26 years, the rate is so infinitesimal that it could hardly be felt by any ratepayer. It is quite likely that at the meeting of ratepayers the various systems of lighting will be discussed and considered, and the most suitable recommended. Waipukurau has now arrived at a stage when adequate street lighting has become imperatively necessary, and no doubt if the meeting decides that a poll should be taken, the necessary three-fifths majority of votes will be obtained at the ballot.