THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1927. TOWN LIGHTING.

Wairarapa Age, 15 June 1927, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1927. TOWN LIGHTING.

When the question of all-night lighting in Masterton was raised last month, it was stated that the cost of an additional hour of lighting per night would be about £72 per annum. On this basis, as we pointed out at tho time, the additional cost of all-night lighting would have been at least between £3OO and £4OO per annum, and perhaps more. At yesterday’s meeting of the Wairarapa Power Board, however, it was stated that all-night lighting could be provided at an additional cost of £202 per annum. It is not clear that even this relatively modest figure need represent the last* word in regard to the cost of lighting the town all night. From the figures supplied, it appears that approximately £lOO per annum is needed to meet the cost of wear and tear on lamps during the hours of extra lighting. It would be interesting to know, however, what additional cost, if any, the board would incur in supplying power for extra lighting. If this additional cost is very small, reason might appear for reducing the amount* of the quotation mentioned yesterday. It is fairly obvious that such an arrangement as at present obtains between the Power Board and the Borough Council is unlikely, in the end, to prove very satisfactory to either party. As matters stand, the Power Board has somewhat the better of the bargain. This advantage is obtained, however, by establishing conditions which give the Borough Council an incentive to impose all possible restrictions on the extension of its lighting service. As time goes on, it will become more and more to the interest of tho Power Board to sell as much power as possible to local authorities, and the best way to do this undoubtedly is to sell to these bodies on a peak-load basis. If higgling and bargaining over the cost of additional hours of lighting is not foolish now, it wil 1 become fooihh in the comparatively near future when ample supplies of power are available. Such matters as that of the wear and tear on lamps can easily be adjusted separately. The whole question will bear further examination and consideration. Meantime, everyone should be able to agree that the present contract between tho Borough Council and the Power Board must be replaced, when it expires, by an agreement of H very different character. We are seriously of opinion that an extension of this agreement would be a betrayal of the interests of the Borough. If there are any objections or obstacles to an agreement providing for the supply of power on a peakload basis, they snould be stated in

good time. Apparently, however, an agreement on these lines would be advantageous to Both parties. Applied generally, such an arrangement would give the Power Board assured finance on a simple basis, and this town and others would be supplied with power on ter as in which they would be free to show reasonable enterprise in extending their lighting services, and possibly other services as well.