GAS BOARD

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 50, 23 May 1929, Page 7

GAS BOARD

A meeting of* the Petone and Lower Hutt Gas Lighting Board was held on 14th inst. Present: Messrs W. G. Lodder (chairman), S. Clentlon, \ v . Meidruni, C. ■ P.' Brockelbank, Y. E. Jacobson, E. Hogg, W. T. Strand

. Mr Lodder moved that a vote of thanks be passed to the Board's officers for their help and efficient services rendered during the past year.

Mr. Jacobson seconded—Carried,

Mr Lodder then retired from the meeting and nominations were called for the position of chairman. -<

It was unanimously decided to re-elect Mr Lodder as chairman of the Board for the ensuing term. Members spdke in eulogistic terms of the splendid service, rendered to the Board by Mi- Lodder to whom, the success of the Board was chiefly due through his keen'i^e'rest' and co-operation iwith the officers of the ; Board. i: '

Mr Lodder, after having been informed of the Board's decision thanked the •members for re-electing Mm chairman, and said he would do his best at all times in the Board's interest. Mr Loader also took the opportunity, of congratulating/ the members on their re-election.

Mr Broekelbank moved that Mr- S. Clendon be appointed Deputy-chairmanl

Mr Meldrum seconded and the motion.

was carried unanimously.

The following members were elected as the Finance Committee: Chairman (Mr L-odder), Deputy-chan-man (Mr Clendon), and Mr Strand. .

The Town Clerk, Petone, wrote advising that a deputation of residents waitr ed upon the Council, protesting at the objectionable smell arising from the exposed portions ofMjran's Creek 'into which both the Gas Board and the General Motors discharge the affluent from their industries. 'The Council is writing to both organisations asking that the matter be remedied. , "

The_chairman said that the Board was dcjing all they'could to abate the affluent and it would soon bft rectified.

>_ The Town Clerk, Lower *Hutt, wrotOv in reply, agreeing that the; Board continue to occupy -' the Hutt office and showroom upon the existing terms.

Mr Lodder moved that the lefefcer be received and that the Council be thanked for their co-operation.

Mr Jacobson seconded.—Carried,

Hon. T. M. Wilfofd wrote consenting to take charge of the Private Bill for the manufacture of coal by By-Pro-ducts, during its passage through Parliament.

Mr Strand moved that the Minister be written to thanking him for his help.

Mr Meldrum seconded and the motion:

was carried unanimously.

The Gas Manager (Mr H. Appleyard)' reported for the "month of April as follows:—Coal cai-bonised 643 tons; gas manufactured 9,071,000 eubfe feet; ia-

creased _ make over April,-.1928, was 1,019,000 cubic feet. Goal in stock on 'April list amounted to 595 tons, lOewt.

The coal received during the month, was supplied by the N,Z. Railway Department, an average quantity of 100 tons perv week, for the period of the month since arrangements were made. As you will see iroin^pur consumption for April, >we shall require tq have larger quantities of Newcastle coal if it is at all possible. I have endeavoured to use a fair proportion of native coal but with. my present number of retorts in use, this has been practically impossible.

The setting of 6 retorts which are at present being" renewed will be completed in a very short time. It will then take approximately. 1Q days to get the retorts to the required heat for carbonising and I shall be able to*use a percentage of native coal to help us out, but still require at least 80 per cent of Newcastle. -

The position is getting very serious as there does not seem to be any.! chance of a settlement of the miners trouble in New South "Wales.

_ During the month 139 tons, 4cwt, 2 prs of coke were sold and 6801 gallons of tar. Tdtal mains laid for the month were .91* chains 4in and 120* chains 3 in. Since the arrival of the new mains, we have had exceptionally good weather for jthe work and good progress is being made to get all those districts reticulated where prospective consumers are waiting for gas supply. There were 42 new services, 35 cookers, 3 combination cookers, 9 coppers, 3 caliphonts. 4 gas fires, one Hottentot cooker, 71 meters, 69 new meters installed during the period.

Good progress is being made with the installing of new plant in the-works, the first lift of the holders being almost completed.

Purifiers: This work is nearing completion, it having been decided to erect only two of the three purifiers purchased.