COST OF LIGHTING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 134, 7 June 1940, Page 9

COST OF LIGHTING

PROVINCIAL MEMORIAL

Indications that the maintenance of the Wellington Provincial Centennial Memorial will amount to a considerable sum in the finances of the Petone Borough Council were given by a deputation which waited on the Ilutt Valley Electric Power Board yesterdayafternoon. The deputation consisted of Mr. J. G. Burns, Deputy Mayor of jpetbne, Councillor J« R. Gtaynor, chairman of the works committee,.; Mr. H. Firth, the Town Clerk, and Mr. C. L. Jackson, the Borough Engineer, Mr. Burns stated to the board that the bills for the lighting of the memorial during February, March, attd April amounted to £i 9 14s sd> and that the full cost bf lighting for the year Would be in the, Vicinity of £100. Six lamps operated from dawri to dark by means of a time-switch. Maintenance of the memorial was a heavy item, and there was £400 on the estimates for improvements and maintenance this year. The burden should not fall on Petone/ alone, as the memorial was a provincial one. The council's account With the board already ran to over £2000 annually. Mr. Gaynbr explained that It was necessary to light the memorial at night, both because bf its appearance and as a protective measure. The coUn< cil was spending mUch more mbney bn it and its surroundings than if it were merely a bathing shelter. Caretaking was a big item, as-the memorial was open .every day for sight-seeing tours, etc. The council had budgeted this year fbf a £300 deficit as regards the membrial. Mr. R. W. Bothamiey s&id that the council cbUld expert every consideration from the boafd. He suggested approaching the contributing local bodies for a share of the upkeep. After a discussion in committee, the board decided to offer the council a choice bf two reduced rates, bne of Vtf-hich is contingent on the lights bf the mfembrial not being switched on before 6 p.m.