THE GAS QUESTION.

Evening Star, Issue 3671, 27 November 1874, Page 2

THE GAS QUESTION.

The principal business before the City Council last evening was the motion standing in the name of

Cr, Waltkr, who, in moving “ That, in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable that the Gas Works should be purchased, in terms of an agreement with the proprietor dated 2nd August, 1872, provided the lessee will consent to take payment in debentures; and that notice be given to Mr Hankey’s attorney of the intention of the Council to purchase the Gas Works ; payment to be made by debentures at par bearing 6 per cent, interest,” remarked that the present agreement with the proprietor of the Gas Works expires this month, and if no action was taken before that date the chance would be for ever lost to the City of acquiring the works. It would be utter folly of the Corporation to construct works of their own. Many Councillors might say the works were no good, but there was no time like the present for buying the works. He wished to have the works purchased without agitation and without arbitration. If the Council were to erect the works the majority of the ratepayers would be against it—(No, no.) de repeated that the ratepayers would be against erecting new works. Had the Waterworks been purchased privately, without general discussion, the Council would have had the works at considerably less cost. He was not able to fix the value of the works, but there was a probability of the business being trebled in two or three years. Cr. Isaac, in seconding the motion pro forma, said if the Council were not in a position to build new works they should not purchase the works, which, if they did, would be “a huge white elephant.” He was prepared to go in for new works, or failing getting a cheaper supply than at present, to light the City with kerosene. Cr. Fish moved as an amendment—“ That in the opinion of this Council it is not desirable at present to enter into negotiations for the purchase of the, Dunedin Gasworks, but that it be remitted to the Lighting Com mittee to endeavor to get the lessee of the works to consent to supplying the public lamps by meter; and that if this is c • needed, a two years’ contract be offered, provided such contract stipulates that the price charged to private consumers shall not, during such period, exceed 12s 6d per 1,000.” He opposed going to arbitration for the purchase of the present works, but would favorably consider a private offer. L 8 a lamp and 12s 6d per 1,000 ft., even at the present prigo of coal, should leave a handsome profit/ Ho would be prepared to see the town in darkness for six months, rather than encourage a monopoly which would perhaps grow. —(Hear, hear.) It was an attempt at extortion on the part of the Gas Company, but he would be prepared to have the town lighted with kerosene rather than submit to it. & »Jw>t twelve tfs? it would

be a very proper thing to consider tbe erection of new works, and then they would be supported by the citizens. The Company evidently sought to make the citizens pay 12,000 extra yearly for the beuetit of a few p-ivate consumers. They were told that the Gas Company were supplying gas at a lo s. He had no hesitation in sayirg that this was the worst-lighted city in the who’e of the Australian Colonies Eve iin Port Chalmers there were better lights, and no obnoxious stick*. They got nos ing from the Gas Company that was promised them three years ago. If the present agreement were a ! lowed to die out, he would bring the gas question again shortly before the Council. He did not agree with C-. Walter that the ratepayers were opposed to the erection of new gas-worts, and maintained that there was plenty of room here for two gas works. Ihey should get pure gas fir all lime.

Or. ('-kant thought that it would be utter ruin” to buy the present gas-works. Cr. Mercer opposed the purchase of the present gas-works, and thought an attempt ■should be ma le to have gas supplied at 12s 6d per I,OOOfo. He was strongly in jfavor of erecting new gas-works.

Cr, Carroll was decidedly against arbitration, aud would support the erection of new works.

Cr. Gibson also thought there was plenty of room in Dunedin for two Gas Works.

Cr. Prosser quite agreed with the amendment, especially with regard to the lighting of the town by meter He would be in favor of lighting the town with keroien<? rather than agree to unfair terms from the Gas Company, and would only purchase the works on very low terms.

Cr. Peeves considered the rale proposed to be charged by the Company—Llo lUs per lamp —extortionate He had been informed the existing works were valued at L 70.000. and that new ones could be built for less than 35 Oil.

The Mayor was opposed to purchasing the present works, which would only be a white elephant. The meter system shou'd be adopted as a milter of fairness between the Company and tbe Council, He quoted from the 1 Daily News,’ of Octob ir 2:—A new era. in the history of the supply of gas has been inaugurated in the parish of Paddington, For years past men whe have studied the question complain that the ratepayers have, piid to the gas companies for that which they never received. Further, tbit they have paid for a eood light, whereas it has been stated in many instances that -a dim; one, not much better ;than a rushlight, has. been supplied, in consequence of which the safety of the public has been endangered. Though the Imperial Gas Company raised objections to-tbe system of supplying gas by nieter, as suggested by the parochial authorities, the referees (Dr Pole, Professor Tyndall, and Sir Vernon Harcourt) gave their award against the Company. Under the new state of things, it is believed that a saving of something like a half penny in the Ll will be effected, or in round figures about L 2.000 ayear. It has been found that tbe burners which were said to consume sft per hour do not actually consume more than 4ft. 6in. per hour, ow.n* to the orifice of the burner becoming choked with stna'l partichs of dust, thus showing that a vast saving can be effected by the meter system over that of paying a fixed rate per lamp. The outlay for putting the new system into proper wo king order has amounted to L 1,200, the whole of which has been collected iu the rates.

Cr. Walter had attained his object of getting an expression y£ opinion by the Counpil. He was strongly opposed to the epct;ofi of new Gas Works, if it were possible to get the Gas Coiqpany to enter into another agreement for five c r seven years and the meter system, he would support such a movement.

The amendment of Cr. Fish was adopted «e?», con.