On the first evening of November, a Tuesday, they shone like beacons in the enveloping dark. Every evening, the new lamps were lit, except in the ten lightest nights of the month – five before and five after the full moon, until the coming of Spring. “Besides – oil cost one shilling a pint”!
During the fishing season the harbour lights and those necessary for the fisherman were ablaze all night. This concession cost the local fishermen 6d a week per boat and strangers with boats coming from Fife and other ports were charged as follows -
For each vessel under 40 tons…………………………………..6d.
“ “ “ between 40 – 100 tons……………………9d.
“ “ “ above 100 tons………………………………..1s. 0d
The account for street lighting during the Winter of 1848/49 amounted to £11.13s.0d.
A manager of the Gas Works was appointed to take charge of the street lamps at a salary of £4.00 a year. As Lamp-Lighter he lit the gasses with a rod which concealed a tiny flame at one end sheltered by a filigreed brass chamber