HOKITIKA GAS CO. LTD

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1931, Page 2

HOKITIKA GAS CO. LTD

- . •’FIFTY-SEVENTH annual MEETING. The fifty-seventh annual meeting of the Hokitika Gas Coy. Ltd. was. held at the Company’s Office. Stafford Street, at' d o’clock yesterday afternoon. Mr I). J. Evans;rChairman of I>irectors presided, the other directors present being Dr. Teichehhann/Messrs W. E. Williams, W. Wilson and S. J. Preston. A quorum of the shares held by the number of shareholders required was present.

After the formal opening of the meeting the Director's report and printed balance sheet were’ laid on the table. The following was the DIRECTORS’ REPORT. The Directors in presenting the accompanjiing report, - ippepd the annual balance-sheet of the Company, duly audited and certified correct. The year, it will ho pleasing to shareholders to know, has heOn a satisfactory one, For the last halfyear of the period,;a reduction in the price of gas was made. This has resulted in an- increased consumption, which tin tl/e aggregate is higher than last the Company’s record year. At the reduced rates for gas these has been some fall in the receipts, bu|t the amount is leas than £IOO. And is not & matter of concern. The important paint is that the consumers are receiving a special concession and ana given well sustained service, In the latter respect the Manager sees personally that - the supply ds ‘ satisfactory always, wjdle the Gas Cooking Instructor pays special visits where required apd assists-to give greater satisfaction still to consumers. Tljfo work of the staff generally is to be appreciated fur the faithful., service rendered lin the interests of the Oonipany. , . The previous overhaul of the. works, anti the attention to the plant and reticulation, have 1 , placed the Company’s plant in, first class order. The staff ha ß paid regular attention tQ the works, and everything is in very ' satisfactory order, there being ho extraordinary expense in sight- The saje of -gas 'appliances. continues . ,tp be quit© satisfactory, and the Company is indebted to, Mr.. W- ; H, Shannon for h|s co-operation, in this side of th e business. 1 ,; This branch is aided also by the gas cooking demonstration!) the winter season for. which will be commenced in June. i - ; ,: Tha financial results for the year justify your Directors in recommending a dividend at the same rate a.s last year, namely 6& 6d per £0 share for the year, 2s 6d of which was paid in October last. It is proposed to pay another 4s in June, and the annual meeti/ng will he re.cjpjmepJed accordingly. !;l , .. d v . The retiring Director is Mr W, E, Williams, who is .eljglble -for re-elect-ion; as also the retiring Auditor, M* 1 R. Wild, who was appointed following the death of fhe late Mr A, B, King, who for so many years ab}y disoharg-

ed the responsible duties, The Cbairman moved the .reception and adaption 'of the documents which disclosed a. healthy' st?tey>f> >: .affairs! The Company hod passed through another year of its long and "useful file, and had given the community good ser. vice. He reviewed the financial position, which He was glad to snv, despite the dull times, enabled the Company to pay tho usual rate of dividend. The works were in excellent order and in -that connection the Manager (Mr Heinz) and staff were given credit lor close attention to the plant and property. Mr Ewans sooke of the faithful service of the Secretary (Mr Sweney) and also how useful Mrs Heinz had been to the consumers in giving information and demonstrations. The Company was indebted also to Mr W. H. Shannon t who had charge of the show room. And who had also rendered verv useful service. ,

Mr W. E. Williams seebnded the motion, referring to the improved condition of the works He praised the staff for the honest service rendered' The Company had a long life and was now paying higher salaries than m' the better days : which had passed. The Company was receiving the value and he hoped would fee fortunate in ;; retaining the staff who worked to- ' gether so amicably. The motion was carried.

On the motion of Mr Wilson the usual dividend was declared, those present expressing satisfaction at the financial position disclosed ‘on tins year’s transactions. Mr W. E. Williams,'who has boon si director for 28 years, was re-elected in the office unopposed and by declamation. M>’ Williams in. acknowledging the result, said lie was gratified to find tlie Company doing so well. They were in. friendly com- ] Jtition with an opponent which • was very useful to the welfare of the town, and he was sure they all wished both .concerns (success. (Hear, ijieur).

Mr R. Wild was re-elected auditor, at the usual half-yearly fee. It was resolved th"t the dividend be made mvable on the 12th. June.

Or* the Chairman’s motion seconded by Mi* Preston, a vote of thanks was passed to the staff. Messrs Heinz and Sweney acknowledging the motion, and expressing, their pleasure at working together like a happy family. ' A. cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman for the zealous manner in which he had attended to the interests of the Company during the

year. The next annual meeting was fixed for the last Wednesday in May, ,1932The meeting then concluded.