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as the uninterrupted use of the streets for traffic, and at the same time to
bear in mind that any undue restrictions would probably interfere with the
working of the Order on commercial principles, and therefore indirectly
affect prejudicially the interests of the consumers. A new undertaking,
such as the supply of electricity from a central station, must necessarily
pass through an experimental stage, and until sufficient knowledge has been
gained by actual experience of the operation of a Provisional Order under
the Electric Lighting Act, it is evident that the full effect of many of the
clauses of the draft Order under consideration is to some extent merely
speculative.
Some of the conditions which the Undertakers seek to attach to a right
to require a supply of electricity are so onerous as to be almost prohibitory
in character. Thus by Clause 20 the Undertakers propose that they shall
not be compelled to supply electricity to any private consumer in a street
where a main has not been laid, unless six or more owners or occupiers of
property in such street enter into an agreement, binding them to pay for a
period of three years such a sum as will represent twenty per cent. per
annum upon the cost of laying such distributing and other mains as may be
necessary. In addition to this agreement, however, the would-be consumer
may be required by Clause 41, after a distributing main has been brought
within twenty-five yards of his premises, to enter into a written contract to
receive and pay for a supply of electricity for a period of two years, of such
an amount as to be equivalent to a return of not less than twenty per cent.
per annum on the outlay incurred in providing any electric line that may be
necessary. Your Committee are of opinion that if the Company obtain
their Provisional Order and attempt to enforce such conditions as these to
any large extent, the general introduction of electricity for the purpose
either of light or power will be relegated to the very distant future. Such
being the case, it would appear to be an act of wisdom if the Undertakers
were to eliminate all such prohibitory conditions from the order, and afford
all possible facilities for the introduction of the new means of lighting.
One very important point to which your Committee have directed their
attention is the possibility of the Gas Company's undertaking eventually
proving less remunerative in the poorer portion of the parish, owing to the
withdrawal of the larger consumers in the principal streets, to whom
expense may not be so much an object as the greater cleanliness and
coolness which are anticipated from the adoption of the electric light. In
that case, the mains would have to be charged with gas as at present, and it
is evident tbat the area and cost of distribution would be proportionately
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