GAS MANAGER AND COUNCIL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1069, 14 November 1911, Page 2

GAS MANAGER AND COUNCIL

At last night’s Council meeting the manager of the gas works was in attendance to answer certain charges which had been made against him. Tire Mayor said that Mr Stuuell had attended a meeting of the Gas Committee during the afternoon, and from what had taken place there they were all quite satisfied with Mr StunelTs statements, but in fairness to Mr Stuuell he considered the matter hould be ventilated in open Council. He said that it had been alleged that the new engine which had been bought for the works from Feilding had not been used, and was at present lying idle at the works.

Mr Stunell said that before the engine was purchased the old one had broken down, and being unable to fix it .he had called in Mr Ross, who recommended buying a new one. Mr Stunell said he knew the engine was too small lor the work required, and in fact some time before the Council took the works over he had written to the Company recommending the erection of new retorts and a new exhauster. When the new engine was purchased and during the time it was being erected, the amount of gas in the holder was very small indeed, and had there been any special call on it the town would have been in darkness. He was satisfied that the six retorts could not be worked with the small engine. At the present time the small engine had “gone bung,” and it was fortunate that the other one was there. It was quite untrue to say that the new engine was not being used. Could not use it exclusively because they had to pump water, if they were using the small exhauster they would only be able to manufacture half the quantity of gas that was at present being made.

Cr Carter said that the responsibility ot having the gas manager present at the meeting was on his shoulders. Not being on the Gas Committee and being new to the Council there were a lot ot things that he did not know. People outside had told him that a new engine had been bought at a cost of about and had been there lor sis months and never used, and he considered it was his duty to bring the matter before the Council and get an explanation. Cr Speirs said that the Manager’s statement had cleared away a great number of wrong impressions. The Mayor said that the purchase of the engine by the Council was a splendid deal as the Feildiug Company had alterwards to buy another engine—exactly the same —to replace the one sold, which cost more than the Council had paid them. Ail along he was satisfied that Mr Stunell would not have recommended purchasing the engine L: it hadn’t been wanted. Now that matter was cleared up he would like to refer to another suggestion—much more serious—that had been made by a Councillor. It had been said that Mr Stunell gut a commission on the

sale of the engine at Feildiug. The statemeut had beeu made by a Councillor and perhaps the Councillor would prefer to bring the matter up himself. He resumed his seat to allow this being done if desired. However, the opportunity was not taken advantage of, and the Mayor continued that when the statemeut had beeu made to him by a Councillor he had stated that he didn’t believe it and was satisfied that Mr Stunell would not do such a thing. He did not think it right to let the matter rest there and next day he put it to Mr Stunell, who indignantly denied it. The Mayor said he then wrote to the Manager of the Feildiug Gas Company on the subject and received the following reply : —“I beg to acknowledge yours of yesterday’s date, in which you state that it has beeu implied that Mr,Stunell, your manager, had received a commission from either myself or company on the sale of a gas engine and exhauster, purchased by your Council from us, through Mr Stunneli in February last. I note that you yourself refuse to believe that such was the case, and in so believing you only do Mr Stunell justice, for I have no hesitation whatever in stating that the implied charge is an infamous lie, for neither directly or indirectly did Air Stunell receive any commission whatever from either myself or company over the transaction. Further, lam quite prepared to sign a sworn declaration to the above effect.” The Mayor said he knew that all Councillors would be pleased that the matter had been cleared up. Personally he never believed the statements made. He considered that in fairness to Air Stunell it should be cleared up at open Council and through the Press.

Mr Stimell said that it was a great surprise to him when the Mayor told him the statement had been made. He absolutely denied having received a commission and slated that during the whole of his career he had never received a commission on the purchase ot anything tor the people for whom he was employed. As he had told the Mayor he never got as much as a drink out of the transaction.

Cr Speirs said he was pleased to hear Mr Stuuell’s denial. He had heard such a rumour himself. Cr Coley : Have you any idea which Councillor made the statement.

Cr Speirs ; No. Cr Coley : Will I tell you ? It was you who said it. Cr Speirs; I never said any such thing.

Cr Gibbs said he did nut hear the statement made at the Council table but he had told several Councillors that he had heard of the rumour.

Cr Carter said that Cr Speirs was not his informant in connection with the allegation that the engine was not being used. Cr Coley ; I say that he (indicating Cr Speirs) did say so at this table, thats what I say. Cr Speirs said he did not mention the matter to Cr Carter or to anyone dac except the Mayor. The Mayor ; I object to that.

Cr Speirssaid that he mentioned it to the Mayor who was in company with another Councillor. The Mayor said they should be very careful with other people’s characters. In any case Mr Stuunell could rest assured that they hadn’t lost laith in him and were pleased that the thing had been cleared up at last. Mr Stunned said he thought the gentleman who started the rumour had the right to tender him an apology, and he hoped he would do so either in writing or through the Press. If he found out who it was he would compel him to do so.