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4
HISTORY OF THE ELECTRIC LIGHT QUESTION.
Although at the present time there is not a single electric light
installation at work under statutory powers in the Parish, it cannot be
said that the question of supplying the Parish with electricity has
received no consideration at the hands of the Vestry in recent years.
Prior to the passing of the Electric Lighting Act in 1882, the Vestry
referred it to its then Lighting Committee to inquire into the various
systems of electric lighting in use, and to report as to the probable
expense of introducing the same into some of the main thoroughfares.
That Committee, after viewing the Electric Light Exhibition at the
Crystal Palace in the early part of 1882, and making inquiries, caused
communications to be addressed to certain municipalities where it had
reason to believe the light was being used for street lighting, but the
information gained at that time was of very little use in assisting the
Committee in its deliberations. The Committee also entered into
negociations with the leading Electric Lighting Companies for the
purpose of obtaining estimates for lighting the Upper Street, from
Liverpool Road to the "Cock Tavern," at Highbury, for one year from
Christmas, 1882, the Company finding all necessary generating power
plant and materials, and undertaking all responsibilities. At that time
the Upper Street contained about 60 gas lamps, giving an average
light of about 15 candles per lamp, and cost for gas lighting £222 per
annum, including cleaning and repairs. The tenders received from
the Companies applied to were very varied, ranging as they did from
£222 to £1,177, most of them being conditional that certain important
concessions should be made to the Company. The Lighting Committee
came to the conclusion that having regard to the then position of the
question of electric lighting it would not be wise to give a final opinion
as to the desirability of adopting the light and accordingly asked the
Vestry to refer the question back to it with authority to continue the
enquiry, and recommended it to decline to give its assent to the
granting of a license or a provisional order to authorise any Company
or person to supply electricity in the Parish.
The Committee apparently confined its enquiries to street lighting
alone, and did not go into the question of house lighting at all. While