ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1931, Page 3

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

GAS MANAGERS' INSTITUTE. DUNEDIN, February 11. The Institute of New Zealand Gas Managers commenced its seventh animal meeting in the Town. Hall buildings, Dunedin, ibis morning. 'The chair was occupied by the president, Mr A. Con per (Dunedin), and there was an attendance of forty-six members. The Mayor of Dunedin (Air R. S. Black) gave the delegates a warm welcome to the city. The council of the institute, in its report for tin* year ended Jamuuly 31. 1931, stated that the membership now totalled 92, as compared with 86 for the previous year. Six new members were elected at the last annual meeting, but during tlie year there had been a loss of one member by death and two associate members had resigned (Air P. R. Scott and Mr N. L. Bain). The conn Cl recorded with the deepest regret the death of Air W. Al’Auliffe. of Lyttelton. 'The late Air Af’Auliffe was one of the oldest gas managers in New Zealand, and was held in high esteem. Four applications for membership had been received, one as a member and three as associate members. The names would be submitted to the meeting. As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased member, the delegates stood in silence.

The president referred to the sail disaster at Napier and the surrounding district. It was resolved to forward a telegram to the Mayor of Napier, expressing the svmpntliv of the institute with the people of the district in the calamity that had overtaken them. The president, in his opening address, said that a number of important matters had been dealt, with during the year. The conunitt n c set tip at the last conference eo deal with the coal question and other matters bad met the representative .Ministers ooteerned. and be felt sure they were able to convince them of the justice of their complaints. Tbe Afinister of Railways, in particular, highly complimented the deputation on the manner in which it bad stated its case, being concise and to the point, ami although he could not promise anything of a definite nature owing to the financial position of this department, he stated that due consideration would he given to all the points mentioned, and lie would certainly do his host to remedy them if possible. As regards the interview with the Minister of Mines ami the mine owners, members would realise that Afr Belton dealt most fully ••-it’- ‘his matter, ami ho felt sure that the Ministers and mine owners now realised the nece'sitv of greater care being taken in the (lass and nature of ;ho coal provided. AIY Conner also gave a brief review of the Dunedin gas d apartment’s operations since its inception, and a number of lantern slides were shown of the works in the progressive stages of their construct ion. Air W. A. Joiner. Af Re., of the New Zealand Government Laboratry. read a paper on “Oil from Coal.” The visitors were entertained at a social in tbe evening.