THE GAS WORKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1519, 7 March 1916, Page 3

THE GAS WORKS.

MANAGER’S REPORT. The gas manager submitted the following report at the February meeting of the Borough Council, which, after being read was referred to the Gas Committee for consideration : Since reporting last we have installed one new supply to a large gas engine. Four large cookers have been fixed also two grilling stoves. Four more cookers are on order, and only require official confirmation before being placed in position. We have now fixed twelve cookers this season, and the lew left on hand after say three months will be only a working stock. These new cookers are giving such perfect satisfaction that next season’s supply ought to be arranged for soon. I find a number of cookers of a cheap class have been fixed by the Council some years ago, and a few of our customers are anxious to change lor one of the new cookers. As some of these old ones are being used merely as a gas ring, would it be possible to deal with them in any way to encourage a much better consumption of gas. We have orders on hand for five or six new supplies in Hillary Street. This would require eleven chains of two-inch main. This main would connect with Coley and Cook Streets mains and form a much required reticulation. The cost of connecting these two streets and giving the supply to these customers would be approximately The consumption of gas would be small, but would improve the supply in the whole district. I recommend the work for favourable consideration. ■ Most of the orders were given with the hope that a street lamp would be erected at the corner of Cook and Hillary Streets, which is a dark and rather dangerous locality. I notice that when I fixed the minimum quantity of gas to be used by any one gas engine at 50,000 ft., and which was passed by the Council, that I seemed to have got too high for any of our customers to obtain the concession. Might I suggest you reduce the 50,000 ft, to 30,000 ft. We are getting on more favourable terms now in competing with other means of producing power, and this slight alteration would enable some to obtain our best terms. Permit me to suggest that in order to put the price charged for small quantities of tar on a more equal basis with the wholesale rate, that the price be is per gallon up to five gallons, and niuepence per gallon for any quantity over five gallons and less than one barrel. The ( se rates compare favourably with prices charged in other places, and are, I think, quite reasonable. No coal has been taken in during the month. The carbonising plant is working well, and the consumption of gas in the day time is showing a marked increase. The renewal work in connection with the retort bench has not been started yet, although the time tor completion has expired.

COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS. The Gas Committee met , on March 3rd to consider the above. There were present :—The Mayor and Crs Coley, Henderson and McColl, and the gas manager by invitation. It was decided to make the following recommendations :—That the main through Hillary Street be put iu hand as soon as possible. ’ That au allowance of £1 be made on exchange ot new stoves for old ones as supplied by the Council. That the price of tar as fixed fay the Council be rescinded, and that one shilling per gallon be charged for all quantities up to five gallons. That the Town Clerk be instructed to sue for all gas accounts unpaid for two months. The report ot the Committee was adopted, with the exception of that clause dealing with the price of tar. This matter will be dealt with at the next meeting of the Council, as there was already a motion on the books setting out the price, and in order to rescind same notice of motion was necessary.