ELECTRIC LIGHTING

Evening Star, Issue 13090, 24 October 1908, Page 1

ELECTRIC LIGHTING

FOR THE TAIERI. DELAY AND DISAPPOINTMENT. The Dunedin City Council's delay in installing, electric power to residents in the Taieri,County occasioned discussion at the ordinary meeting of the Taieri County Council yesterday. The agreement to* supply 400 boree-power was signed on May 8. 1907, and the installation was to be completed by May 8, 1907. Many householders have made preparations for the installation of power, but the light appears to be away behind the hills. Disappointment is "keen among ratepayers in the Taieri County. The Electric Power Committee recommended that they and the engineer meet the City Council’s Electric Power and Lighting Committee on Tuesday first to discuss various questions in connection with the supply of power to customers in the 'laieri County. Cr Stevenson moved the adoption of the Committee’s recommendation, and Cr Blair seconded. Cr Freeman considered tliat the City Council were not acting by the terms of the agreement at all. Some action should be taken. The City Council seemed very dilatory in apportioning power to rate*pavers of the county. The County Council's Electric Power Committee knew nothing about what customers in Dunedin were charged. That should be known. He did not think the power was available. He did not approve of the .conference altogether. The City Council should stand by their agreement. . The Chairman thought that a conference would produce satisfactory results. There was no doubt that the City Council were very slow in moving in the matter. Many householders had all preparations for the installation of the light, but there was no sign of the light coming. Cr Blackie suggested that the City Council should be written to, and asked why the disappointing delay had taken place. Cr Stevenson favored the holding of a conference. It was hardly fair to jump on the City Council right away. 'there might be difficulties over which they had no control. If the conference were unsatisfactory definite action could be taken. The Taieri County Council had been blamed in Dunedin for hindering the City Council. That was .a mistake. The Taieri Council were as anxious for the success of the Waipori electrical business as the City Council. He was satisfied that a conference would be successful. Cr Blackie moved—“ That the County Council’s solicitors communicate with the City Council, and ask why the agreement with the Taieri County Council had not been fulfilled, and also take steps to have the agreement complied with, so that Taieri customers might have come idea as to when thev would have the power and light installed.” Cr Freeman seconded the amendment, which was lost on the casting vote of the chairman. The report of the Otarmittee was adopted.