ELECTRIC LIGHTING OF THE CITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 278, 25 November 1887, Page 2

ELECTRIC LIGHTING OF THE CITY.

At the meeting of the City Council laet evening, the question of electric lighting of the city came up for consideration. A telegram was read from Messrs Ashcroft and Co. intimating that they ■would commence the work qf lighting the city with electricity at once, as the dynamo motor was on board the Tainui. A letter was also read from J. C. Firth, offering to light Queenstreet with electricity without any delay whatever, and the whole city if required. The Mayorsuggested that the matter should be referred to tfie, Streets Committee. Cr. Dignan objected. He thought they should get clear of Messrs Ashcroft and Co. altogether. Cr. Cooper thought that Messrs Ashcroft and Co. had merely been playing fast and loose with the' Council. As soon as they found that Mr Firth was going to take the matter up, then they were prepared to go on with the work. He moved that the offer be withdrawn from Messrs Ashcroft and Co. Cr. Evans seconded the motion. Cr, Buchanan preferred the whole matter being referred to the Streets Committee. Cr. Trenwith thought that they had better be sure that Mr Firth's system would suit before they threw over the others. Cr. Patterson asked whether the Council would not render j themselves liable if they threw Messrs Ashcroft' over. The Mayor replied that they would not. After some further discussion Cr. Cooper's motion was adopted, and Mr Firth's letter was referred to the Streets Committee. A telegram was accordingly despatched to Messrs Ashcroft and Co., stating that in consequence of the delay the Council withdrew the offer ma4 e to them re the electric lighting of Auckland.