ELECTRIC LIGHT IN WELLINGTON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 35, 9 February 1906, Page 3

ELECTRIC LIGHT IN WELLINGTON.

CITT COUNCIL NEGOTIATIONS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.! • WELLINGTON, Thursday. Recently the City Council resolved to treat with the Wellington Electric Light and Power Company for the purchase o£ the company's work.-; and privileges for a sum not greater than £luu,iX>O f though at the same time they did not admit that the company had a monopoly for private lighting. Ou December n> the Mayor wrote to tin.- company slating tUat after careful inquiry and deliberation, and after consulting the electrical engineer and others, the Couucil had arrived at the conclusion that it could uot entertain any offer of the works aud privileges of the company at a sum greater than £10(>.iX»0. Should such » sum be acceptable t<> the syndicate, the Council would seek authority from the citizens to purchase at that price Should the syndicate not see its way to accept such a sum, the Council was of opinion that it ought to submit to the ratepayers a proposal for a loan for the purpose of erecting independent works. The Council proposed to at once commence operations for selling light to private individuals, and it was now negotiating with certain consumers towards that end. In a reply d:ited December 2U, the company states that the proposal has been sent Homo by the "Krlseo mail, and a reply liy cable its asked for. The letter goes on to say, "'The Council must not assume that the company admits the right of the corporation to undertake the supply of electricity to private consumers. On the contrary, the company has always contended (and still contends) that the corporation does not possess that right."" On January 10 tbe Town Clerk replied as follows:—"With reference tr> the supply of electricity to private consumers, his Worship desires mc t" point out that the Conncil does not re.cognise your claim to the sjr>ie right of such supply, and that they are at the present time making all arrangementa to undertake this work themselves. In fact, they have already supplied power to several business houses in the city, and are noff about to fit up two premises for lighting from the Councils existing plant. In view of the Creference to this matter in your letter, the Mayor desires tnat you should be thns early acquainted with the intention, of the Council in order that if your company desires'to call their action in question the earliest opportunity of doing so may be afforded them." The company replied, pointing out that "this is in prejudice of the rights and powers belonging to the company, and that if you continue to do so it will be at your own risk, and we now enter our protest against your doing so." On January :'.n the Town Clerk replied to the company's protest by referring thfl company to the Council's letter of January 19, "which sets forth the position aud the attitude of the Council in thJs matter."" Possibly the law courts willbe asked te decide the onpstion.