LIGHTS OF OTHER DAYS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2715, 24 June 1925, Page 6

LIGHTS OF OTHER DAYS

What A Gas Standard Revealed “ MANAWATU TIMES ’» RECORD OF 1900. ______ % There has been a good deal of speculation as to when the concrete gas standards which are at present being demolished in the Square, were erected. All doubt on this point, however, was cleared away yesterday morning by the discovery in that pillar which stood opposite the Band Rotunda, of a bottle containing a copy of the “Manawatu Daily Times’’ of November 21, 1900, together with a short note dated November 22, 1900, recording the names of Councillor James Mowlem, chairman of the Public Works committee. Councillor Wm. Park (No. 2 ward) and Thos. Bastin, Borough engineer. There was also a little green card—this ought to be kept a secret —giving the handicaps for the Wellington races ,to be held cm the 22nd and 24th November. A perusal of the paper brings to light many interesting facts about those days. The late Mr. Henry Haydon was then Mayor, the city fathers being Messrs. Wm. Park, Joseph Nathan, James Mowlem, Andrew Guy, E. J. Armstrong, J. Colville, J. WebbJohnston, R. Edwards and W. Rawlins.

In conversation with a reporter, Mr. Park explained that he and Councillor Mowlem had a hard struggle to secure these gas standards for the eastern side of the Square. Money was very scarce, and an appeal had to be made to those interested for funds. Something like £IOO was thus raised, and when the lamps were finally erected, they were greatly appreciated. Prior to that time, the lighting of the Square was by means of small iron standard lamps at the corners of the various gardens. The corners of the footpaths around these reserves were square, and not rounded off, as at present. The result was that the lamps used to project well into the roadway and more than once came to grief through being struck by runaway horses. Motors, those days, were few and far between.