
    In the Matter of Long Island Lighting Company, Petitioner, against Incorporated Village of East Rockaway et al., Respondents.
   The board had no power to grant the application. Admittedly the petitioner could not show facts warranting the conclusion that a variance was required because of practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship. (Village Law, § 179-b; Matter of Otto v. Steinhilber, 282 N. Y. 71, 76.) Acquirement of the plot in the public interest cannot be deemed a substitute for the statutory prerequisite to a variance. (Matter of New York & Richmond Gas Co. v. Connell, 242 App. Div. 691; Matter of Hickox v. Griffin, 298 N. Y. 365, 370, 371.) Present — Nolan, P. J., Carswell, Johnston, Adel and Schmidt, JJ. [See post, p. 1023.]  