CITY COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3735, 11 February 1875, Page 2

CITY COUNCIL.

There was a full meeting of the Council last night (Cr. Prosser being the only member absent).

gasworks. Cr. Reeves, in moving the motions standing mlus name-“ That this Council having affirmed th** desirability of having Gasworks of us own, is now of opinion that the time has arrived when action should be taken towards this end ; that, with a view to the probable purchase of the exiting Gasworks, the Town Ueik be instructed to write to Mr Hankey’s i epresentative asking him .if he is willing to sell, and, if so, if he is willing to state a definite price for the property ; that, in the event of no satisfactory arrangements being come to with the owners of the present works on or before t.ie Ist April next, that immediate steps taken to erect the City Gasworks”—said the Council had not been wise in entering into the last contract with the proprietor of the Gasworks. The last offer by the latter was for three vears, L 9; two years, L 9 10s ; or one year, LlO, exclusive of repairs and cost of lighting, which was calculated by the Council’s engineer to be 50a. and tins would bring the public lighting to Ll2 10s in We.lington, where the recent dividend was 12 per cent., the cost p«*r lamp was L 8 7s, and the price of coal 38s bd per ton. The average Price of the nine companies in London was 4s 2d per l,oooffc., coal being 25s per ton. Here the price of gas was 12s 6d per 1,000 ft., thus show ing that though coal was 70 per cent, dearer in Dunedin than London, the cost of gas was no less than 300 per cent, dearer. In Castle(Victoria) the price for city lamps was L 7 los 6d, and the cost of coal 49s per ton. It was advisable for the Corporation to have Gasworks of their own. Though the price of gas in Manchester was only 3s 6d pea 1000 ft., the net profits in 1873 amounted to L 81,452. The people there were dissatisfied, and wanted to have the rate reduced. Gasworks could be erected here to supply the requirements of the City for many years to come for L 40,000. The present consumption was about 20,000,000 ft. per year. The Corporation, if they decided to have Gasworks erected, would hj -ve them earned out and completed within eighteen months. He believed an extortionate sum would be asked for the present works, and had nohesitaturn instating that opinion. The Corporation had a Bill empowering them to borrow money that would pay for Gasworks three times over, if necessary. They also bad an excellent site, and this was the most suitable time to commence the erection of Gaswoiks. Cr. Walter contended that the present works should be purchased, and moved the substitution of July for March in the third resolution. With this exception he agreed with the resolutions. Cr. I saac would rather have the town kept in.darkness for a time and then lighted with kerosene than pay an unreasonable price for gas. Ihe matter should be settled at once. C r - lISH said if the present works were offered at a reasonable sum, it would be the duty of the Council to acquire them. There was considerable danger of delay, and he was, therefore, greatly surprised to find Cr. Walter (who had assisted him previously in this mattei) moving a resolution for that purpose. Correspondence had been proceeding between Mr flaukey and his attorney for. at least the last six months, and the latter was doubtless posted up as to‘what price should be demanded for the works. Three months ago Mr Ritchie telegrapheq to his principal asking whether he should receive Corporat on debentures in payqient. If the present Gasworks were not obtained, he (Cr. Fish) would advise the Corporation to erect new works at once. There would be plenty of room for two gasworks in Dunedin, as the population was rapidly increasing in Kensington and the other suburbs. They could erect gasometers at the bottom of St. Andrew street, and use the present works to supply gas to the outskirts of the City. Were it. not for the consideration of the present vested interest., he would say erect new works and carry on an extensive opposition. He heartily supported the resolutions, and trusted that the Councillors would have no more shilly-shallying, but if the present works were not purchased the Gas Committee would be immediately authorised to erect new works. _ The resolutions were supported by Crs. Grant, Mercer, Barrqn (who objected to that part of them affirming the desirability of ro 'king overtures to purchase the present works, because they were ricketty and not furnished with modern appliances); by Carroll (who was glad to see the Council so unanimous, and said the sooner the works were undertaken tlie sooner would the City have cheap gas); by Or. Woodland (who believed that with new works a greai; saving would be effected, and that the time had now arrived to have the matter settled) ; and by Cr, Beck (who would not recognise any further delay. _The Mayor supported the resolution. Mr Ritchie s ultimatum for one year should not be accepted. The Council should not pay too much for the present works, which Mr Hankev valued at L9f1,000.—(“ Oh, oh !”) The amendment was negatived, only being supported by Crs. Walter and Gibson, and the resolutions were adopted aud, on Cr. Fish’s motion, referred to the Gas Committee. OTHER BUSINESS. Consideration of Cr. Fish’s motion that the unleased portion of the wharves and quay reserves should be leased by auction for fourteen years j and of Cr. Isaac’s resolution re leasing Corporation property in Police street, was deferred until the Reserves Committee reported. Permission was given to the Caledonian Society to hold their final gathering at the North Recreation Ground on March 17.