THE GAS WORKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1386, 15 April 1915, Page 3

THE GAS WORKS.

MARCH WORKING. During the month of March the amount of gas manufactured was 338,90011., which with the amount in holder on March rsl, 4000 ft. made a total of 342,900 ft. The amount used by consumers for lighting was 166,900 ft., for cooking and heating 47,800 ft., and for power 57,800 ft., 31,000 ft. was used in the street lamps, 22,000 ft. in the works and there was 5,0001 t. in the holder on April rst, leaving 12,400 ft. (representing 3?4 P er cent, of the output) unaccounted for. Twenty nine tons of coal was carbonised, yielding 11,600 ft. per ton. The receipts totalled gas sales (lighting) £79 9s 6d, (heating and power) £34 15s 4d, meter rents ss, coke sales £'o is 9d, tar sales £2 17s gd, weighing £1 13s, fitting account £2l xSs 3d, coal £1 19s 7d. services £1 Bs, labour (fittings) 17s 6d. The expenditure amounted to ns 3d, made up of: coal £36 ss, salaries and wages os 4d, labour £2 17s, fittings 4s, plant £6 14s 6d, insurance £2 14s yd, working expenses £3 4s nd, printing and advertising 8s gd, engine repairs and oil £6 10s 6d and interest and sinking fund £59 nsßd. THE GAS RATE.

Dealing with that portion of the Town Clerk’s annual report referring to the gas works, the Mayor said it had been his hope that this year they would have beeu able lo say ‘‘we have seen the end of the gas rate.” He was sorry, however, that the rate could not be entirely dispensed with, but he thought it could be safely reduced from a penny to a bait-penny. From the trading account of the works for the past year it would be seen that the actual working resulted in a profit ot but portion 0! this amount had been expended on mains, etc. The position was that the works during the past year, on the actual working, had been within of paying interest and sinking lund on the loan. Cr Coley look exception to the Mayor’s remarks and maintained that the business was far from being a paying concern. Cr Chrystall thought that on the figures submitted relating to last year’s working it would be quite safe to reduce the rate to a halfpenny. Cr Henderson complained of the quality of the gas, which he said had been very bad for the past month or so. Cr Coley contended that by collecting the rate they were ‘‘thieving the people.” He added that the gas works was ‘‘the biggest white elephant that Foxtou ever touched.” A Councillor: Well you helped to buy it. Cr Coley : “I swear I didn’t vote for it. EXTENSIONS. The gas manager wrote stating that extensions had beeu asked for by two new consumers in Hall St., and two in Patrick Street. The cost of the extensions would be £g 105 and £7 respectively.—The extensions were authorised. EMPLOYMENT OF LABOUR. Cr Speirs’ notice of motion to the effect that the following motion passed at a previous meeting be rescinded : “That the gas manager and an assistant do all the work in connection with the gas works, including work on mains at present laid, services installed and all new services, with the exception of street lighting and the laying of new mains” was brought forward. Cr Kempster said Cr Speirs (who was absent from town) had asked him to take same up and although he was opposed to it he would move the motion pro forma iu order that it might be brought before the Council. No seconder could be obtained, however, and the motion therefore lapsed. Cr Coley said the motion on the books was to stop the manager from going too far and it would be a mistake to rescind it. Whenever additional labour was required the Council would authorise it. EXTENSIONS LOAN. The Mayor stated that the Public Trustee was prepared to advance the loan authorised by the ratepayers for the extensions to the works. The rate of interest would be per cent., plus one per cent, sinking tund. This was one-quarter per cent, more than that authorised by the ratepayers and it was necessary to get the permission of the Minister of Finance to the increase. It was decided on the motion of Cr Chrystall seconded by Cr Whibley that application be made to the Public Trustee for the sum of to carry out new work at the gas works, to bear interest at $% per cent, per annum, plus one per cent, sinking fund, subject to the consent of the Minister of Finance. STREET LIGHTING. Cr Henderson said that according to the gas report the amount of gas consumed by the street lamps during the month of March was 31,000 teet. The lamps were only alight on 18 nights during last month for about 2> l A hours per night, and he didn’t think it was possible for them to burn that amount of gas iu the time. He also pointed out that the amount allegedly consumed by the street lamps varied very little the whole year round. Surely there should he a difference iu the consumption in winter and summer. He moved, Cr Kempster seconded and it was carried

that metres be put ou two street lamps and a return given each month of the gas. consumption. The meters to be read by the gas manager together with the gas committee.