ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 1131, 11 March 1910, Page 4

ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

SCHEME ADOPTED

FURTHER- REPORT TO THE COUNCIL.

POLL TO RAISE £8000 TO BE TAKEN. .

-_t the Boroue.li Council meeting last night, Cr. Tolley, Chairman oi the Special Lighting Committee, presented the following report: — Since the last report presented to the Council, your Committee have had the advantage of an interview with Mr Mabin, an electrical engineer ironi Wellington, who has had considerable experience, and as a result .1 this interview we are satisfied tha. there are only two schemes that the Council need consider in carrying out , the work of installing electricity 111 the Borough, which are as follows: — ' (1.) For the Borough to engage a competent electrical engineer to pre- ; pare a scheme, with plans and speci- ; lications, and for the Borough to carry out the work itself by a series of contracts covering the various parts of the installation. By this ' means it will probably be more economical, but the general result may not be good, owing to largely divided ; responsibility 7. (2.) For the Council to determine the area of public and private lighting, and to then invite the various electrical firms to prepare their own schemes, plans and specifications, showing all details, and to submit tenders for completion of the proposed work. Before any tender is let, the schemes, plans and specifications to bo considered by the Committee and an electrical adviser to be appointed by the Council. By this scheme the successful termination of the work s assured at a given cost,_ as, unless specified results are obtained, payments could be withheld. Your Committee beg to recommend this latter -scheme. We have considered the. area of lighting. AYe find that in the area bounded by "North, South, East and AYest Streets, together with a line from North Street*to Kiwitea bridge, from North Street to Makino station, and South Street along tho '■ Aorangi road to Oroua River is miles. AYe .recommend that the above be the area to be served at once with public lighting and ultimately with private lighting. AYe find 011 comparing this with Messrs Burt's report that they only contemplated private Inditing in the most populous parts of the Borough. Therefore we believe that the sum of £'6500 will not bo sufficient to carry out our recommendations. AYe find from consultation with Mr Mabin that'tliere will have to be two circuits, one for private and one for public lighting, both of which can he, however, run on the same poles. Private lighting necessitates much heavier wiring than street lighting; therefore, if the ! Council approves of this recommendation, wo recommend. a further sum of £1500 be secured, so that in the event of being necessary to expend same the money will be available, aim therefore we recommend that a loan of £8000 be obtained. As showing one item of extra cost not contend plated in Burt's report there will be £400 or £500 For insulating wires to satisfy the Board of Control to prevent interference with the telegraphic j and telephonic services. The Council' is in a different position from a private company, ivho obtain their capital by_-periodic calls, and can make extensions as required. AA'e think, therefore, in raising the loan it should be in the direction of being sufficient to carry out tho largest service required, and not necessarily for imnie- • diatc expenditure, as undoubtedly \ some areas of private lighting will .; only be undertaken when sufficient consumers are available to warrant extension of electrical mains, but cost, of same must be provided in first loan so as to prevent a second appeal to ratepayers. Your Committee feel that this is their final'report until such time as the proposal is approved of by the ratepayers and authority given to borrow the money, and as the Board of the Advances to Local 'Authorities meets on the loth inst. we beg to recommend that application be sent for provisional approval of a loan of £8000, and upon receipt 01 same a special meeting be .convened to pass the necessary Special Orders, with a view to taking a poll of the ratepayers at an early .date. j Mr Mabin waited-on the Commit- i tee. coming at his own expense, and supplied it with valuable information, | and we think that his expenses, ! amounting to £1 18s, should be de-' frayed by the Council, and we make the recommendation accordingly. Attached hereto is a schedule of the streets showing the, proposed area or installing, and reports received from local bodies where electricity has been installed. Kimboltoiv Road (South Street to North Road? 97 chains, Camden Street 23., Prince Street 8., Fit.roy Street 20, Duke Street 16, King Street 12, Grey Street 40, Marlborough Street 24, Queen Street 19, Hobson Street 22, Monmouth Street 33, Bowen Street 32, Fergusson Street 36, Eyre Street 22, Gladstone. Street 21, Russell Street 21, Montague Street 11, Lytton Street 18, Derby Street 62, Denbigh Street 79, Weld Street 20, Beattie Street (from North Street to South Street) 93, Church Street 70, Stafford Street 19, Man-chester-Street 66.'Warwick Street 49, North Street BG. South Street 58, AVest Street 70, East Street 53, Makino Road (North Street to houn clary) 80, Kimbolton Road (North Street to bridge) 79, Aorangi Road (South Street to bridge) 40: total, 1400 chains.

Cr. Tolley said the Mayor 'had communicated -with other places in New Zealand where electric lighting was installed, and in every ease it was shown that the lighting was popular, that it was profitable to the Borough Council in each case, and one °. r two returns had footnotes saying the Feilding Borough Council would not regret making the installation. Or. lolley ivas sure, the present information ibefore the (Council fully justified them in placing the matter before the ratepayers. He proposed the adoption of the report. Cr Williamson seconded the motion. At the .request of Cr. Williamson, Cr. Tolley then, read several of the returns received from other places, showing the electric lighting liad been greatly popular and profitable in New Plymouth, Stratford, and other places. Every report received showed there was a profit on the transaction. .! . " ■ Cr. Atkinson asked what was the difference between water power and suction gas? Cr. Harford said suction gas was the better, and no dearer. Cr. Saywell did not think £8000 would be enough. Cr. Goodbehere -favoured the report, but • _© wanted;, to be sure-of

the position with regard to tiie Gas Company. Cr. Bramwell supported the adoption of the report, saying he thought the sum mentioned in the report was the correct amount. Cr. Atkinson spoke against the report. The report was adopted, Crs. Atkinson and Saywell voting against. Cr. Tolley and the Mayor proposed that the Council raise a special loan of £8000 for the purpose of installing electric light in the borough, and that the necessary steps be forthwith taken for such purpose. Tho motion was carried.