STREET LAMPS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2578, 12 August 1909, Page 2

STREET LAMPS.

—— THE QUESTION OF GAS SUPPLY. During tho meeting of the Borough Council last evening, the following letter -was read from the manager of the Gisborne Gasworks, Ali\ PI. Hoavo:— “Referring to your favor of the 15th July, requesting a statement as to the position of contract between my board and the Borough Council for lighting the public lamps, I beg to inform you that no written contract exists, but simply an understanding based upon a schedule which was prepared and accepted by your Council and acted upon by us. Enclosed please find statement of number and position of 74 piiblic lamps as lit by us at the present time. From September 30th, 190 S, to Juno 30th, 1909, we only charged for sixtytwo lights, but upon full inquiry and investigation we find that sixty-four lamps have been lit, extinguished, and maintained, an account for which is enclosed. I may say for your information that the whole matter of public lighting is being considered by my board, the result of which will bo communicated to you as early as possible.” . .. ’Pile letter opened up the question or the borough gas supply, and Cr. Harris said that apparently the Gas Company could charge for light whether it was supplied or not. There was no agreement in existence between the company and the Council. Cr. Darton asked if the Committee set up to report on the munioipalisation of the gasworks had ever met. '■ The Alayor said that, by adopting his policy, roads and drainage were to be considered first. The gas question could come afterwards. Cr. Clayton: Do you hold then, Mr. Mavor, that by the adoption of your policy the Gas .Works Committee is not appointed? The Alayor: I do; roads and drainage come, first. I . Cr. Clayton: Aly motion appointing that committee cannot be rescinded without notice of motion. A 7 ou apparently rule which ever way it suits you. (Laughter.) ' The Alayor: AVe have quite enough proposals to put before the ratepayers. Gas can come afterwards. The question has not been lost sight of altogether.. _ , Cr. Harris: I thought Cr. Darton was on that committee. < Cr. Darton: So" I am, but the committee has never been called together. Air. J. Jamieson, who described himself as a New Zealand inventor, wrote offering to advise the Council on the utilisation of the tidal currents tor the purpose of generating' electricity. Cr. Darton said the letter might bo referred to the Gas Committee. Cr. Clayton said he thought it would be found that the muuicipahsation of the gasworks was impracticable, but it was quite possible that a cheap means of electrical supply could be discovered, probably by means of a destructor, which would give enough power to light the town, if not for private consumption. ? -U 1 Cr. Collins said that before any report was acted upon, Or. Clayton’s suggestion might be considered. Such would be only fair to Cr. Clayton,' who had collected a lot of information on the question of electrical* supply. Air. Jamieson’s letter was referred to tlie Finance Committee. - ■ V. . - • :