Second Edition ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 46, 24 October 1913, Page 6

Second Edition ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

„...:... - * —— COMPANY'S NEW LH3ENSE.

BOROUGH COUNCIL PROTEST

. A meeting of the Borough Cotmcif was held last night to consider the question of the license proposed -to" be issued to the Electrical Supply Company to enable them to supply current in the Stratford County. Present.- the Mayor (Mr >V. P. Kirkwood), and Crs. King, Masters, Afden, Thompson, Fredric, Morison, and Richards. The Borough Solicitor (Mr T. CFookes) reported that the issue of the license was opposed to the interests of the and he recommended that every effort be made to prevent: its issue, in its present form at all events. The new license authorised the Company to operate in the whole of the Borough and in Stratford County, instead of only within a radius of three miles from the Stratford Post Office. It' also extended the period of; operation till 42 years from date, While the covenant between the bor-

ough and tire company expired in 1919. The company would thus be enabled to carry on operations in competition with any lighting scheme the Borough Council might undertake, and itr .was'-questionable Whether the license would not render inoperative the local authorities' right of, pur-

chase. The Mayor said that undoubtedly ii would be inimical to the interests

•M'tfie buigesses of Stratford if tb,| 'proposed license was granted. The Electrical Supply Company were, of course, within, their rights in .applying for the license and under the Public Works Act the Government had the power 'to grant the license, but it did not necessarily follow that a license would be granted: it was opr tioriaT r W the Government to grant or" -rtfuse it. " "Wbite the . Electrical Supply' Company/might be expected make an endeavor to extend their '6p%aHions under' 'iM proposed license; it behoved' tfce Borough Council to be the rights of the burconserved,' and the Coun* tA&mld; 'Kpb doing, its duty ,if it ,fi strong latest '' against granting ijjl|"ifcehs|&.'. Hesd not intend a*'-Ibis; stage going" into de- ; tail s^ % a^; ojpinipn,of t Jtlie Borougli" covered the ground, but if necessary, from points that plight arise.~dui*ing -the rhe j, wpuljiJ^ai, it w,i>s'suc)i )V poipts in "rOply. ~; ,said he, thought if. .»■ letter of,protest was forwarded it was

all that was necessary. . He did not a d6putafion;'t6!'-Wel-lington straight away: a letter of pro■fcest cou,ld be forwarded and then ii necessary; the d e P u *atiqn could go down later. However., he did not: think the Government would »be prff

vefited?from 1 granting' thei license. 'He thoyfelit. the best thing* the Mayor •Coukj, doiiwould'be to'bring down' a scheme to purchase the Electrical Supply yGompahy.'s plant, j /tCiTi Fredrie said he could not understand Cr. Master's reasoning. Cr. Masters, did not think it necessary

to ssjid ? deputatioh to yet

ho expressed the opinion that thr license would be granted. From what Cr. Masters said,-he (Cr. Fredric) wa convinced that it was absolutely neces to send a deputation to Wellington, yet the deputation should go as soon a? possible.-

Cr. Richards said he would most

strongly oppose the granting'of thf license as being opposed to the beatinterests of the burgesses. Under the license it was proposed to give the Company very wide powers and the license* worild render nugatory the present deed of concession. In' replying, the Mayor said he,did not consider that any argument had been adduced against the Lighting Cbm'mittee's recommendations being' carried into effect. On the Contrary, he thought that from what had been said it was very patent it was urgently required that a deputation should be sent to Wellington in support of the Council's protest. Continuing, tho Mayor said that the question raised by Cr. Masters To the Council purchasing the Company's plant, was outside the matter under discussion, but he would say that he thought the present concession should be allowed to' run' out. ■

'Tile Mayor and Cr. Richards were appointed a deputation to interview the Prinie Minister, and, the Minister for Public Works #t. Wellington to protest against the issue of the license. It was also decided that a letter of protest be forwarded to the UnderSecretary for Public Works' on the matter. '; .

The" full text of tho Borough Solici tor's report will be published in to morrow's issue. ' .. ' _ _ ~