Levin Municipal Gas Works.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 April 1915, Page 3

Levin Municipal Gas Works.

REPORT FOR THE PAST YEAR. The working of the Municipal G;is works for the year ended ..'list March .1913 was received in the following report submitted to the Borough Council on Monday night hy-the Town Clerk Mr P. W. Goldsmith':-

The Receipts and 'Expenditure in connection with the Gas undertaking for the year ended 31st March 191'5 are now available and show that as hitherto the position is one which is satisfactory and encouraging. The year has been marked by two important happenings, the first being the reduction of the price of gas charged to consumers. and the second the extenson of the main to the Kawiu Road, a distance of about sixty chains from Queen Street. This extension naturally entailed considerable outlay not only for the main themselves but for services and meters for the new consumers. On this head the expenditure for mains stand £305 3s 5d and for services £127 3s '8d has been spent during tlie year. Meters have cost £77 3s 7d.

Notwithstanding the reduced prices charged to consumers, the total amount paid for gas by the public conies to £1,550 Is 8d as compared with £1,-120 Is 3d last year. From the monthly reports furnished to the Council, there appears to be an increase in manufacture during the year of 469,500 ft the quantity manufactured standing at 4,(305,600 ft. "With regard to the average amount paid by consumers, the sum is a very slight fraction under

7s lOd per 1000 ft as compared with 8s Id last year. The returns from coke and tar amount to £203 15s fid as against £188 9s 5d last year. 'Hie waterside workers strike occured during the year, and the cost of coals for a time was increased the expenditure under this head was £621 17s 6d as against £524 10s in the previous year.

Taking the operations for the year as a whole, there seems a small but steady advance throughout. In spite of the reduction of the price of gas. the extra cost of coals, and a comparatively large sum expended in extensions. the accounts still show a credit balance of £89 Is 5d which is very little less than the credit balance of

31st March 1914, viz. £10(5 7s (3d. The department, with the exception of an increase in the cost of such commodities as mantles, etc.. has not so far been seriously affected by the war. During thfe year the Manager- Mr A. Bnrrell

and those under him, have worked conscientiously for the success of the

undertaking, and largely through their efforts the present satisfactory position has been brought about. It is not anticipated that much expenditure will he required 011 the retorts for the current year (1915-16). but it will be necessary to paint the Manager's house and showroom, and doubtless the new Council will consider the wisdom or otherwise of having a showroom in town.

The Mayor said that the report was very satisfactory. The ratepayers had not been asked to contribute anything towards the maintninance of the works since their inception six years ago. In •that time £1,500 had been spent in the work out of revenue and £1.100 received for the sale of by-products. In spite of increased expenditure and a

reduction in the price of gas they had closed the year with a credit balance of £89. He did not think that any other borough supplied consumers as cheaply as Levin. The average price was 7s lOd per thousand feet. Another satisfactory feature was the excellent conditions of the works ; the retorts had been in use for six years and wore still in good order. The borough was fortunate in its past and present managers and its stokers. The consumption of gas showed a steady increase, a proof of the progress of the town.

.Councillor Parker considered that the council should pass a resolution expressing its appreciation of the work

performed by the manager and the stoker. Ho moved "That the council

give hearty commendation and appreciation of the work of the gas manager and tho staff for "their services to tho borough and town during the present council's term of office.

Councillor Fosella seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously.