GAS FOR LOWER HUTT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 171, 15 April 1921, Page 8

GAS FOR LOWER HUTT

PROPOSED ERECTION OF NEW WORKS REPORT BY BOROUGH COUNCIL COMMITTEE For the purpose of considering the report of a special committee on the question of erecting gasworks at Lower Hutt, a special meeting of tho Borough Council, over which the Mayor (Mr. E. P. Rishworth) presided, was held last night. Also present were: Councillors E. J. AV. Meldruni, Willoughby Knight, A. Macaskiil, W. T. Cotton, W. B. Hardy, A. J. Hobbs, A. J. West. It was decided to circulate tho report in printed form, and that tho same be submitted to a meeting of ratepayers next week. In addition to the gas question, the hydro-electricity scheme will bo discussed at the meeting. The committee in its report states that the question of gas supply has been examined from both a sentimental and a business point of view, and the present and probable future requirements of the borough have been carefully inquired into. The present supply is drawn under contract agreement from the gasworks owned and controlled by the Petone Borough Council. “Negotiations with the Petone Council, concerning the supply and price of gas, have been proceeding during the last four years, states the committee, “and it has been found practically impossible to arrive at aCV compromise acceptable to them fhav does not sacrifice the common interests of the residents of Lower Hutt. The present contract agreement has a period of two years yet to run after August 1 next.” Following the judgment m a Supreme Court case and a report by Mr.- Dorignll, the Lower Hutt Council offered to pay the Petone Council the increased cost of coal used in making gas for Lower Hutt up to £5O per month, provided Petone gave compensation by extending the contract agreement for two years, increasing pressures, and insuring a better supply of gas. This offer was not accepted. The Lower Hutt Council offered to purchase a half-share in tho Petone Gasworks at an amount to be fixed by an independent arbitrator. This offer was not accepted. On the application of tho Petone Council, the Board of Trade examined into the position most carefully and completely, and engaged Mr. Kennedy (manager of the Palmerston North gasworks) and Mr. Ward (an officer of the Audit Department) to make full investigations. All reports, declare the committee, have been in favour of the Lower Hutt Council's contentions and point of view, but all proposals made by this council have been rejected-by the Petone Council. After going fully into the proposals for an’reement, the committee proceeds as follows:—

The Petone Gas Works produce 12.<W0 fleeF or less gas per ton of coal. ’'Tie new gasworks proposed ‘would produce at least 18,000 ft. of gas per ton of coal. TTns means an increase in production of 6000 ft. of pas for every ton of coal. Tn other words: (a) In the new works two tons of coal would equal three tons of coal in tho Petone works; (I>.) the new works would produce 45.0H0,099ft. of gas for the same coal cost ns Petone works would require to produce 30,000,00(171. This represents a saving of 834 tons of coal per year, the value at 60s. per ton gross being £2,502 per year in coal clone. The proposed new works would require over 50 per cent. less labour to produce 18.000 ft. of gas per ton of coal than Petone works would require to .produce 12,000 ft. New works in Lower Hutt would provide gas far at low price for borough requirements and for sale to residents, and also make available all the coke produced for sale to residents of the Hutt, At the present time nil the tar and coke used in the borough have to be purchased. The proposed works would -not be any charge on' the rates of the borough, but,- on the contrary, wuld be revenue and profit producing. As profits accumulated from the gasworks, the price of gas to consumers could be correspondingly reduced. The cost of the new works, estimated on the .very highest figures, would total £61,990. including improved and increased reticulation. The capacity of the proposed works is designed to be nt least 65,900,900 c.ft. per year, which will allow for a natural increase for some years to borne in the gas consumption of Lower Hutt. That there will be a rapid increase in the gas requirements of Lower Hutt is certain. At the present time about thirty applicants are waiting to have their homes connected, Exit the supply is insufficient to provide for existing connections. The present disabilities in regard to supplies of gas are seriously retarding the natural progress of this borough to the great disadvantage of all its residents.