WAIPAWA COUNCIL

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 147, 9 July 1937, Page 3

WAIPAWA COUNCIL

Our Own Correspondent.

GASWORKS A BIG ASSET TO TOWN

From

WAIPAWA, This Day. The monthly meeting of the Waipawa Borough Council was held last evening. the Mayor, Mr C. G. E. Harker, presiding over Crs. F. Eagle, H. T. Limbrick, F. R. Furminger, J. Barker, W. M Murray and E. Mac Gregor. The borough overseer, Mr It. Petherick, was also in attendance. The Waipawa Dental Clinic applied for annual grant.— Payment of £15 authorised. It was decided that the string bass, owned by the council, be available for use of orchestras, but must be returned to the theatre. The Mayor suggested that a special committee be set up to deal with a letter from the Local Bodies Officers Union. — On the motion of Crs. Murray and Barker, the finance committee was appointed as a special committee. In connection with the report submitted by the overseer, the Mayor said he had inspected the kerbing and channelling in Melville street, and it was a decided improvement. Cr. McGregor suggested that the footpath be extended to the end of the street, and the overseer was authorised to do the necessary work. Reports as presented were adopted, and monthly accounts were passed for payment, The Town Clerk reported that a coutribution of £55 would be necessary from the council to make payment oi Coronation celebrations accounts. — On the motion of Crs. Limbrick and Murray, it was decided that the councjj pay accounts up to £55. Rate to Be Collected On the motion of the Mayor and Cr. McGregor, it was resolved that a general rate of 3jd be collected,' and the following special rates: — Special rates 5id, Harbour Board £d, lighting rate 13-l6d. Cr. Limbrick, on behalf of the gasworks committee, Bubmitted a eport on the condition of the works and thc proposed saies' campaign for gas aopliances. The Mayor said it was essential that an immediate estimate for re-roofing of the retort room bo obtained.— Authority was given to secure estimate. With reference to the sale of - coke from the worksj tb'e committee recommended that a proper estimate of cost of production should be 6ecured, and the ffalo price based on this. The Mayor said that the dentand ior colre ahvays exceeded the supply at the local works. Cr. Eagle said he did not think ti e price could be increased. It was botterito dispose of the commodity at a reasonable figure, than to increase tbe jirice and have it left on hand. The Mayor eaid that the price at Waipawa appeared to be in line with other places of a similar size. Cr. Limbrick said that so far as the local product was coneerned, the price was right, but if it had to bo imported to meet the supply, an extra charge would have to he made. The committee submdtted a plan and estimate of proposed showroom prernises for gas appliances. The estimate for the necessary alterations was £48. Cr. Limbrick said that the committee had considered the estimate and did «'• t think the expense was warranted. He thought some modified scheme imght be iutroduced at a cost of, say, £25. Cr. Murray said he could not sce that the provision of a showroom w ould assist the skles, and he considered that cireuiars would be more effectivet and the engaging of a salesinan would probably have the desired result. Cr. Furmingjer, on behalf of the committee, said he was in favour of ^ales letters being sent out to consumers, and also to non-consuiqers, setting out the henefits of gas installations. Electricity Opposition. Cr. Limbrick said ho did not think the people of Waipawa realised wnat a wonderi'ul asset the town had in its gasworks, and it was necessary to keep up the saies iu view of the opposition being set up by the' supply of electricity. He suggested that letters should be sent out each mouth for a start, to be followed up by a persoual cauvass. . Cr. Eagle said he was in favour ot • a showroom being established with a reasonable supply of appliances. 1 he people to get in touch with were those who did not realise just what can be done with gsas. He strongly supported the suggestion for a personal canvass. Council lors considered that it wiukL not be possible to engage a salesman, but a canvass, could be carried out by members oi the stalF. Cr. Barker considered thc canvassing was a niatter l'or experts. The overseer was of the opiniou that the gasworks staif could do the job, and it vos decided that Mr U. Petherick make the c-anvass. 'J'he council then went lnto committee to deal with matters relating co the theatre.