HOW PEKIN GETS LIGHTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 December 1936, Page 10

HOW PEKIN GETS LIGHTS

WHAT HAPPENED TO £200,000. One of the first stories I heard in China was the story of how the streets of Pekin came to be lighted, says Miss Katherine Mitchell. One of the officials of the Central Government, which nominally controls about eight of the 18 provinces, visited the United States, He was much impressed by the brightly lighted streets. On his return he said to the national committee: “We must be progressive and modern. Let us chose one city in China and demonstrate how. it can be lighted.” The national committee was duly impressed.and voted the national treasury should' set aside £200,000 for this project. They called in the official who had proposed the idea, and said: “We wish to have you choose some city in China and demonstrate how the streets can be lighted. You have been to the United States; you know more than we do, so we will turn over this £200,000 from the national treasury to you.” “Good,” said the official, “I shall be proud'to carry out this project for you’. - ’ So he decided on Pekin, called' on the marshal of the province, and said “The National Government wishes to demonstrate how a city can be lighted in the modern manner. We have chosen Pekip for . this experiment, and since Pekin is your province I have come to offer you the £150,000 the Government has given up for lights in the streets of Pekin. Better turn it over to the Mayor.” The Mayor of Pekin, who holds his office only through the goodwill of the marshal, was sent for. “Mr Mayor,” said the secretary, or words to that effect, “Pekin has been highly honoured. Our great Government has decided that Pekin shall demonstrate to the rest of China how a modern city should be lighted'. Yon must see that this is done. The Government has very generously given yoii £50,000 for this work.” The Mayor bowed out of the marshal's office and sent for the chief of police. “The Government wants the streets of Pekin lighted. You are in charge of the streets—see that this is done. In order that it may be well done the Government and our generous marshal has given us £lO,OOO to help with this work. Will you take charge?”

The chief of police called in his street sergeants. “There is a new law,” he said, “which you must enforce. The streets must be lighted. Each shopkeeper must have a light in front of liis door. If he does not do so you may collect a fine from him. See that the lights are put up." Now this story may or may not be true, but at any rate; the streets are lighted by a little bulb hanging on a wire in front of every door.