GAS SUPPLY

Evening Star, Issue 20048, 13 December 1928, Page 18

GAS SUPPLY

PROPOSED SERVICE FOR GREEN ISLAND MORE INFORMATION WANTED The proposal of the Gas Committee to extend the gas supply to Green Island at a cost of £7,536_ 10s was_ discussed by the City Council last night, and referred back to the committee for further consideration. Cr Scott, in moving the adoption of tho report of tho Gas Committee, said Green Island was a growing district, and was becoming a manufacturing centre. Tho new gas plant was capable of turning out ‘2,000,000ft of gas a day, and tho committee wished to find a market for as much as possible. At present a little less than 1,000,000 ft greater output could be made without any increase in tho staff, bub would entail, of course, the uso of more coal. Cr Hayward said that a satisfactory feature of the Green island extension would bo that a largo number of men could be employed on the work. Cr Clark said that, while congratulating tho Gas Department upon being progressive, he was not satisfied with tho facts presented or tho explanation made in regard to the Green Island proposal. On the figures before them he thought it was quite_ obvious that they were not justified in going on with the proposal Ho moved that the clause referring to the matter be referred back to tho coramitco for consideration. “ J hope tho work will go on,” concluded Cr Clark, “ but I think wo should know exactly where we stand.” Cr Begg seconded ilio amendment. Ho said that, while ho was inclined to agree with Cr Clark, what was perturbing him was whether the gas department had statutory authority to go outside its own area. The E.P. and L. Department ana the water department had that power, but the tramway department did not, Cr Scott said tho committee had no objection to taking the clause back and giving further particulars. The committee looked upon the proposal as a perfectly sound proposition, _ Tho unemployment question had influenced the committee -in recommending the work. Cr Douglas said lie understood the gas department had authority to go outside tho city _ district. Cr Scott agreeing, the clause of the report dealing wiili tho subject was referred back to the committee.