ELECTRIC LIGHT IN WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13097, 9 February 1906, Page 6

ELECTRIC LIGHT IN WELLINGTON.

ACTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION'.]

Wellington-, Thursday. Recently the City Council resolved to treat with the Wellington Electric Light and Power Company for the purchase of the company's works and privileges for a sum not greater than £100.000. though at the same time they did not admit that the company had a monopoly for private lighting. On December 19 the Mayor wrote to the company stating that after careful inquiry and deliberation, and after consulting the electrical engineer and others, tho Council has arrived at the conclusion that it cannot entertain any offer of the works and privileges of your company at a sum greater than £100,000. Should such a. sum be acceptable to the syndicate the Council will seek authority from the citizens to purchase at that price. Should the syndicate not- see its way to accept such a sum the Council is of opinion that it ought to submit to tho ratepayers a proposal tor a loan for the purpose of erecting independent works. The Council proposes to at once commence operations for selling light to private individuals, and it is now negotiating with certain consumers towards that end.

in a reply dated December 22, the company states that the proposal has been sent Home by the 'Frisco mail, and a reply bycable is asked for. The letter goes; on to say, "The Council must not assume that the company admits the right of the corporation tp undertake tho supply of electricity to private consumers. On the contrary, the company has always contended, and still contends, that the corporation docs not possess that right.'' On January 19 the town clerk replied as fellows :—" With reference to the supply of electricity to private consumers, His Worship desires mo to point out that the Council do not. recognise your claim to the sole right of such supply, and that they are at the present time making all arrangements to undertake this work themselves. In fact, they have already supplied power to several business houses in the city, and are now about to lit up two premises for lighting from the Council's existing plant. In view of the reference to this matter in your letter, the Mayor desires that you should be thus early acquainted with the intention of the Council in order that if your company desires to call their action in question the earliest opportunity of doing so may lx? afforded them.'' The company replied, pointing out "that this is in prejudice of the rights and powers belonging to the company, and that if you continue" to do so it will be at your own. risk, and wo now enter our protest against your doing so.'' On January 30 the town clerk replied to the company's protest by referring the companv to the Council's letter of January 19, "which sets forth the position and the attitude of the Council in. this matter." Possibly the law courts will be asked to decide the question.