STREET LIGHTING IN PORTOBELLO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20991, 2 April 1930, Page 12

STREET LIGHTING IN PORTOBELLO.

SUCCESSFUL OPENING ' FUNCTION. A very successful function was held nt Portobello last evening, when the electric lights in the streets were switched on foi the first time. There are altogether some 30 lights, extending over a distance of about a mile on the city side of the Beach road, and for some three-quarters of a mile up the High road, as well as about half a mile along the lower side of the township. The gathering was presided over by Mr P. W. Moss, and the chairman of the Electric Power and Lighting Committee (Mr J. B. Shacklock) was in attendance. Mr Moss, in his opening remarks, stated that the new system of lighting had not been introduced without a great deal of work on the part of the Portobello and Broad Bay Ratepayers’ Association, which in its efforts had the wholehearted support of the local residents. Special mention, the' speaker said, must be made of the work which had been done by Mr Bowles, who had been ably assisted by the county, clerk (Mr B. Noble) and the county engineer (Mr S. G. Paterson). Mr Shacklock said that it gave. him a great deal of pleasure to be present that evening, and he wished to congratulate the resident^*of Portobello on their initiative in taking a forward step Fi’.ch as this. He wished, especially, to congratulate Mr Bowles, who had been largely responsible for the introduction of elec-' trie light in the streets of the town. He hoped that the surrounding districts such as Broad Bay and Macandrew Bay would follow suit, and go in for an up-to-date system of street lighting. Electric lights were, a thing which were appreciated more as they were used nml their convenience became known. He was l sure that the residents would never regret the step they had taken, and that the number of lights would soon be increased. Mr W. Gibson, of the North-East Harbour Ratepayers! Association, also congratulated the residents of Portobello. As a similar step to the one taken in Portobello was being contemplated by the residents of Macandrew Bay, he was in a position to appreciate the work involved. He hoped that before long the whole of the Peninsula would be supplied with electricity. The Rev, W. M'Arthur said that be wished to mention the high standard of the work which had been done by those entrusted with the actual installation of the electric light. A programme of songs was rendered by the following;—Mr George Walters, Miss Isohel M'Arthur. Mr and Mrs Robertson (duet), and Messrs Brown, Ellison, Potiki, ami Miss Ellison (quartet).