ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11504, 28 September 1915, Page 8

ELECTRIC LIGHTING.

CURRENT IN OUTER AREAS. The St Martins Burgesses' Association wrote to the City Council Last night, asking whether the council would supply current on the following terms, submitted by its engineer:—(1) Charge £2 2s per street light per annum if tho local body reticulated for that purpose, and reticulate for house lighting at city rates; (2) provide out of the fund of £30,000 for assisting outride consumers for reticulating street and houso lighting at £3 per annum per street light, with houso current at city rates, it being understood that the city's deferred payment system would apply for house lighting. If this policy was adopted, the association wrote, it would probably be taken advantage of by several outlying districts and would bo a step towards a Greater Christchurch electricity supply. Tho Mayor said that the writer seemed to have a fair grasp of the couiij cil's offer made six months ago, and it should bo confirmed. ' Councillor G. Scott said that m I Bromley. Avor.side and St Martins there were only 160 houses to be reticulated, and the annual income was £2BB. The offer made to lliccarton could not apply to a more- sparsely populated area. It would cost, the coune.l many hundreds of pounds to go into these districts for «■ very small return. Councillor •J. M'Cullotigh said that tho offer was made to all the local bodies, and if it was a foolish thing for the City Council to make the offer it was still more foolish for the Heathcoto County Council, of which Councillor Scott was chairman, to advocate a separate installation for these sparsely •i populated districts. ! "It is a foolish thing, wild Council- ! lor Scott, '•but the district will have | to pay £3 II lamp, while the cost is under £2." , w " A profit of £l." said Councillor W. H, Cooper. . "Not exactly, but. it will meet the j other expenses, 1 said Councillor Scott. Councillor I). G. Sullivan said that the council was not considering Bromley or Avonside, and St Martins wa.s A good district. ' The letter was referred to the Electricity Committee.