THE GAS COMPANY AND THE COUNCIL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 480, 14 September 1909, Page 2

THE GAS COMPANY AND THE COUNCIL

At last night’s meeting of the Borough Council several letters were received from the Gas Works Proprietary, in reply to a resolution passed by the Council at its last meeting, requesting the Pro* prietary to carry out the conditions of contract for street-lighting. In their first letter they asked in what way the Council considered they were failing in the matter. To this the Town Clerk had replied stating that the lights were being extinguished before the stipulated time, and also that on several occasions some of the lamps had not been lighted. The Proprietary replied, expressing surprise that the agreement was not being faithfully carried out, and stated that they were anxious to carry out the terms and conditions of the contract. They had not at any time given instructions to the manager of the works to the effect that the lights were to be extinguised before the stipulated hours. The manager of the works, however, had reported to them that the lights had sometimes been extinguished by some persons unknown to him. Cr Rimmer moved that the Council write to the Proprietary of the Gas Works stating (ist) the unsatisfactory manner the street lamps are lighted. In some parts of the borough it has been noticed that certain lamps have not been lit for a week at a time, and if this careless manner is continued then the Council will consider their agreement void, and go back to the old way of lighting the streets until such times that they consider it expedient to provide gas of their own. Also, the gas at present is very unsatisfactory—many complaints are being made about the bad light and the offensive smell arising irom it when in use. The Council considers the management at present is not satisiactory. Cr Ross, in seconding the motion, said that the way the Proprietary had been carrying out the lighting agreement for the last month or two was most unsatisfactory. Notice had been sent to them, but the unsatisfactory state of affairs still existed. During last month one lamp had only been lit about four times, and another seven times. The quality of the gas was also very bad. Cr Speirs said that at present the gas lighting was most unsatisfactory. From the time the work started right up to the present, the Proprietary had never carried out the conditions of their agreement. He suggested that the contract be annulled. Cr Robinson said that he did not think the Council were going strong enough. They had given Gas Proprietary the right to instal the gas,and they had repeatedly broken their agreement. The Council should now cancel all agreements with the Company for lighting. Cr Speirs interjected, “ That’s my opinion too.”

Cr Ross said that in conversation with two members of the, Proprietary, they had informed him that automatic lighters were shortly to be installed. Perhaps when this were done the lighting of the lamps would be more satisfactory. Cr Adams considered that they should either cancel the agreements or give the Proprietary a final notice. Personally, he would like to see it cancelled. Things were going from tbad to worse. The gas that was being manufactured at. present was very bad and the Public Health Department should prevent the use of it.

The motion was carried unanimously.