HOKITIKA GAS COY

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1921, Page 1

HOKITIKA GAS COY

The 47th. annual meeting of the above Company was held at the office, Tailored Street, last evening. Mr W. E. Williams, Chairman of Directors, was in the chair, and there was an attendance of other directors and shareholders representing (with proxies) several hundred shares.

The report and statement of accounts were submitted to the meeting in printed form (previously circulated). , The report stated that an interim dividend of 2/6 per share was paid in November last, and a further dividend of 3 - per share was recommended for payment next month. It was noted in the report that Mr W. Stewart had resigned from the managership of the works, after a lengthy service, during which he had proved a. capable and conscientious officer. His successor was Mr G. Heinz, who had considerable experience in works of this nature, and who was recommended by Mr Stewart, and very highly supported by Mr Kennedy of the Greymouth gasworks. Regret was expressed at the impending resignation of Mr W. Wilson , the secretary who retires from office next week owing to ill health! Mr H. \V R. Sweney has been appointed to succeed to the secretaryship, and having been associated with Mr Wilson’s office, he is thoroughly conversant with the work and should prove a capable Secretary. Referring to the new system of lighting to be introduced the report said: “The Electric Light Company is installing the electric light, into the town next month, hut it is not felt that their competition will affect the Company very considerably, as it is expected the sale of gas for cooking and heating will increase still more. Tt has been the experience of gas companies in other towns and cities, that there' has been room for both gas and electric light, and the sales of gas have increased.” The report concluded with a. statement that the directors looked forward with every confidence to (he continued success of the Company.

The Chairman moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet, and in doing so reviewed the outlook for the Company. He spoke on the matters referred to in (lie report, dealing with the official changes now taking place. He thoujglil all things considered the Company would have a good year ahead of it, and felt sure the shareholders would have every assistance from the staff at the works and in the office. Mr i’reston said lie looked forward with

equal confidence to the future, realising the ( ompaiiy had done good service for the town in the past, and there would still be room for it to continue that useful service. The report and balance sheet were adopted on the voices. The retiring director (Mr D. J. Evans was re-elected unopposed; as also the retiring auditor (Mr A. IS. King) was re-elected to the position of Company auditor.

Ihe dividend of 3/- per share as recommended was authorised for payment on June 13th.

Air Evans proposed a vote of thanks to the staff and in doing so said the general condition of the works and the prospects ahead assured a successful year. The staff had done good work in the past, and although changes were being made, there was every reason to believe the good service to the shareholders of the Company would continue. The consumers were being studied in '■very way, the desire of the staff being to render a good gas supply to all users and on those satisfactory lines the past success would continue. Air Preston seconded the motion which was carried. After disposing of formal matter* the mooting concluded, next annual meeting being fixed for the fourth Wednesday in May, a year hence.

The Hokitika Gas Company will next week centre its public office at the works, Stafford Street, where Mr Sweney, who takes up the duties of Secretary, will he established. The Company is arranging for a full supply <>t gas accessories, including cookers, mantles, globes etc., and these will lie sold to consumers of gas at very reasonable rates. In connection with the gas service, it is desired in the event of any irregularity tlint consumers will advise the works, when all complaints will have prompt attention. AVlien the officer is engaged in reading meters f which in' future is to he every two months instead of monthly as heretofore) consumers are desired to notify any defect in lighting or otherwise and the matter will he looked into. Certain improvements at the works and to tfic mains are now being carried out whirli will improve the gas supply and the pressure, and when relieved shortly of street lighting, business and domestic lighting and power supplies will ho bettor served in very way, thus popular, ising the service. Quantities of coke and tar and other by products arc on sale at the works all tin* year round, and customers should communicate with the manager or secretary as to supplies.