The Ensign. GORE: TUESDAY, JANUARY 6. ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1132, 6 January 1903, Page 2

The Ensign. GORE: TUESDAY, JANUARY 6. ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

The recent decision of the Gore Borough Council to adopt Mr Hay's recommendation in regard to the electric lighting system of the town, provides a most satisfactory solution for a difficulty of considerable dimensions. To tap the vast water power available at the Mataura Falls has' been mooted frequently and for many years past, and now that the way has been cleared for the possibility of this achievement it is not extravagant to assume that the town of Gore will shortly be placed in possession of an electrical system of unquestioned efficiency, and one capable of extension considerably beyond the probable needs of the place in the present or future. Adopting the Mataura scheme, of course, entails the rejection of most of the plant at the present works. A considerable quantity of this, however, is practically obsolete, and no doubt in the disposal of it full market value will be secured. Under the new order of things (which should be fairly established before the winter season sets in) practically three times the present power will be available. And not only will electrical energy be at command for lighting during the hours of darkness, but during the daytime also power will be at hand for running motors in connection with manufacturing industries. The very largely reduced price (9d per unit as against 2s at present charged) for lighting to consumers will tend to popularise the use of electricity very considerably, and already .promises from prospective new consumers guarantee an output nearly up to the minimum fixed by the company vending the energy at Mataura. No doubt the Council in its wisdom will perceive the necessity for making the attractiveness of electric lighting as strong as possible, and to this end it might be necessary to frame a scale of charges for installations, etc., which yeild but the smallest margin of profit. The whole scheme depends for success upon the extent to which the power from Mataura is employed, and in the meantime the efforts of the Council should be concentrated towards increasing the private consumers as much as possible. As the minimum of 4500 units per month will permit of a fair margin over and above the power requisite for private consumption, the Council will be enabled to largely extend its system of street lighting to the benefit and convenience of all. The Mataura scheme has another great advantage beyond those already indicated, in so far as it will permit of pumping in connection with the proposed local water supply to be carried on at a particularly low cost. Although the suggestion may appear to border on the Utopian, it is not extravagant to venture an expectation that locally electricity will come to play a large part in the affairs of daily life. With lighting at a half-penny per hour, and the most economical motive power desired at threepence per unit, it is difficult to conceive of any other result than the most complete success of the new system. Further than this, recent scientific research has cheapened the manufacture of culinary utensils, specially prepared so as to be adapted for heating by electrical current, thus obviating the necessity for stoves and fireplaces in the preparation of the domestic food supply. Almost unlimited possibilities lie before the possession of an extensive, cheap, and efficient system of eleotrical power, and it is to be hoped that when this is available locally, the greatest possible advantage will be taken of the opportunities presented.