The Waipa Post PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 1913. LIGHTING PROPOSALS.

Waipa Post, Volume V, Issue 223, 24 June 1913, Page 2

The Waipa Post PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 1913. LIGHTING PROPOSALS.

THE poll of ratepayers on Friday next to determine which system of lighting is favoured by the majority of townsmen will prove, as time goes on, to be a verv important step in the advancement of Te Awamutu, and should not be treated with indifference by any ratepayer. The introduction of a lighting system does not merely confine itself to that of an illuminant, but embodies that which is of equal if not. greater importance to the town’s commercially power. Certainly, as a means of lighting the town, the matter is one of importance, and is deserving of prompt and decisive action ; but for heating and power purposes further consideration is necessary before a decision is arrived at. It' is only by proper and thorough consideration of the respective values, both as a convenience to consumers and as a commercial enterprise, of each of the three systems of supply, and a thoroughly representative expression of opinion at the ballot box that a decision in the' interests of the town and district may be arrived at. Nor is it necessary 'to consider only the requirements of today, for municipal works require to be planned so as to cater for the requirements of the future, and meet the demands which the advancement of the town and district will place upon them. This is as fully applicable to the lighting system as it was to the gravitation water supply proposals, and it is hoped that any action taken with any local municipal works will result in the preparing of a foundation upon which to build a sound progressive town. The interest already displayed in lighting matters shows clearly that the majority of residents are fully determined to bring about the installation of that which will prove to be of greatest value to the whole community. To those who regard this poll as a farce — and we have heard it described as such —we would urge that the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship are almost of greater import now than hitherto. It is quite possible—assuming that the resiilt* of Friday’s poll will favour a system other than coal gas—that the subsequent poll to authorise the necessary loan will be defeated, but in that case the question will revert back to the installation of coal gas for which purpose the necessary requirements of law have been already complied with. But that" is no concern of the ratepayers as affects next Friday’s poll, which

may be taken as an act of consideration on the part of the Town Board in its desire that the system favoured by the majority of ratepayers will be adopted. The Board’s action is deserving of proper appreciation, and should be fully availed of —we hope it will be.