The Waipukurau Press. Friday, August 17, 1906. THE LIGHTING QUESTION.

Waipukurau Press, Volume I, 17 August 1906, Page 2

The Waipukurau Press. Friday, August 17, 1906. THE LIGHTING QUESTION.

The lighting question is the most important that the Town Board have had 'to deal with, and it is therefore excusable that they should exercise caution, and, if needs be, alter their proposals if it is found necessary for the welfare of the town to do so. Those who constitute the Board are deeply interested in the welfare of town, and have no interests to serve but the general good ; and, when recommending the adoption of the Kitson light for street purposes made the very best suggestion available. With the appearance, however, of the 20th Century Gas Company light upon the market, has grown a demand for a system of lighting for business and residential places and for cooking purposes in the summer months.

The representations made by the Company, and the eminently satisfactory estimates furnished, have opened up a new aspect of the question, the particulars of which are now placed before the public fpr consideration. We publish a statement submitted by the Company to the Board, from which it will be seen that a system of lighting can be installed in Waipukurau at a cost of £ 1500, included in which is cost of land and building for plant. The financial aspect of the question is such as should cause no serious misgivings. The loan of £l5OO could possibly be raised at 7 per cent:, which would mean that £lO5 per annum would have to be paid in the way of interest, and while it would he necessary to strike a special rate as security for the loan, there should not be the least reason why it should be collected. Even supposing the works should not pay at their inception, the first year’s interest is payable out of loan,

and subsequent payments could be made from ordinary revenue. But the Town Board intend to avoid all risk in this matter and secure guarantees before submitting any definite proposals to the ratepayers. The statement submitted by’ the. Chairman at last night’s meeting of the Board is a comprehensive one, and should assist materially in forming public opinion. Without wishing to traverse the same ground again, it will be seen that with 81 burners the light could be successfully installed, giving a cheaper and better light than kerosene, and also providing for free lighting of the streets.

The simplicity of the 20 th Century Gas works, combined with its successful installation in other parts, should be a sufficient warrant that the undertaking would be a success here, and the Company have such confidence in their light that they are prepared to take all risks themselves if a monopoly were granted for ten years. The cheapness of ihe new light has made it possible for small communities to run lighting works on iheir own account. To introduce coal gas into this town would mean, at the lowest estimate, an expenditure of £5OOO, and it is haadly likely such an elaborate system would receive public support; besides which, goal gas is not produced in any small town in New Zealand at less than 10s per 1000 ft, with a rebate of 2s 6d for prompt settlements, while the 20th Century light can be sold at 7s 6d, with a discount of 2s 6d, making the net price ss. There are only a few of the laager towns in this colony that are selling gas at this price.

Should this system prove half as good as it is represented to be, and there should be no doubt on the matter, if it is decided to instal the light, the residents of Waipukurau will indeed be fortunate, for while they would have a good cheap light they would also have a revenueproducing concern which would materially assist them in improving and beautifying the town without adding to the taxation.

The proposals which have been submitted are worthy of careful consideration before the money is raised for the installation of the Kitson light, and the action of Mr Chambers, chairman of the Board, who has given a lot of valuable time to this question so as to be able to speak with some authority, is deserving of the thanks of the public. Mr J. Williams has also done a lot of useful work in this connection, and it is mainly through his persistency that this question of lighting has entered upon a new phase. Public men, as a rule, receive more kicks than thanks for what they do for the public, but we trust, even supposing that nothing results from the movements, it will be recognised that the good only of the public of Waipukurau has been considered.