THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9015, 30 March 1888, Page 5

THE ELECTRIC LIGHT.

At a meeting of the City Council last night the following letter from Mr. J. C. Firth was read :—

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of March 1G in which you state that at a meeting of the council held on March 15 my letter of March 7 was read, and to inform me that " The Council do not interpret your previous offer to accord with the statements of respective costs mentioned in vour letter under reply, and will be glad to learn if the proposal stated by you is a continuous offer." In reply I have to say that my letter to you of March *7 referred to a previous offer contained in my letter to you of February 9 (cony attached). I think you will find that my letter of March 7 is in accord with that of Februarv 9. Permit me to say further that whilst I recognise the courtesy of the Mayor and some of the Councillors I am constrained to say that the remarks reported in the Star newspaper of March 10, to have been made by Mr. Lennox, in reference to this subject, viz. : —" Mr. Lennox thought it would be well if Mr. Firth would be a little more accurate in his statements. Mr. Firth's statements in the compensation (Assessment?) Court were not a bit more accurate. Mr. Lennox considered that the letter and similar statements simply meant nothing. He thought Mr. Firth ought to be told distinctly that this statement was not contained in his previous offer, and that the Council could not bo blamed for not considering matters which were not brought before them." Mr. Lennox has neither contradicted nor corrected these statements, as above reported. With regard to them, it is only necessary for me to say that I think they are not such as would be made by a gentleman, nor arc they seemly from one occupying the honourable and useful position of a councillor who is understood to serve the public and not insult them. In conclusion, I have to observe that in your letter of March '2 you informed me that my offer to the Council was not accepted. _ In my letter of March 7 I accented this decision. I have, as you seem to imply, made no continuous otter. It is unnecessary to re-open the question.—l am, &c., J. C. Firth. Pray return the maps accompanying my letter of February 9.

The Mayor said a few words of explanation were necessary. In the offer of I 1 ebruary 9, Mr. Firth proposed to light the city by towers, and when before the committee he said he did not approve of the towers, owing to the inequalities of the city, and in regard to the by-streets it would be necessary to keep the gas lights. The resolution subsequently arrived at by the Council was recommended by the committee. The letter was received.

Mr. 11. J. Purbrok wrote re his offer for lighting the city that if they wished to see him on the subject before the meeting or the committee, lie would give his time gratis, but should they wish him to give a full detail he would require a given sum which would be decided on to compensate him for his time and trouble. The letter was received, Mr. Purbrook to be thanked for his offer.

Mr. Parsons, secretary of the Auckland Gas Company, wrote to ask if the Council would entertain a proposal from the company to light, the municipal buildings, Library, and Art Gallery with the electric light. Referred to the Streets Committee, with power to call for further correspondence.