THE GAS WORKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1701, 21 April 1917, Page 2

THE GAS WORKS.

MARCH WORKING. The amount of gas manufactured at the local works, for the month of March was a record for any single month since the works have been established, the total reaching 533,900 ft. This, with the amount in holder on March Ist, 3,500 ft., made a total of 537,400 ft. The amount sold to consumers for lighting was '177,800 ft., cooking and heating 170,700 ft., and power 114,900 ft. 'flic amount used in street lamps •was 20,800 ft., and 18,800 ft. was used in the works, and there was 3,000 ft. in the holder on April Ist, leaving 25,400 ft. (representing 5 per cent, of the output ) unaccounted for. Forty-four' and a-half tons of coal was carbonised, yielding 12,1.00 ft. per ton. MANAGER’S REPORT. My usual report for the month of March was not in time owing to the Council meeting being held early. As shown in the Town Clerk's monthly statement, we manufactured 533,900 ft. of gas during the month of March. This is an easy record on any previous working, although we are not yet into our heavy winter output. The heavy consumption indicates that the demand for cooking purposes is not showing the usual falling off as the

winter season conies on. The carbonising plant is working very well, and this can be seem from the fact that the gas made during the month would till (he small holder over 50 times in 31. days. The heavy day consumption enables us to show this handsome output through our limited storage. One gas engine has been connected since last report. and another is now being installed. This makes twelve engines in use. Second Holder: The contractors are now getting this job into shape, but for want of suitable men, and broken time through the recent rough weather, the progress made has been slow. 1 have a mechanic employed putting all ironwork in good repair, so that when 1 he concrete work is in position (he work of putting the sections of the ironwork together will be a simple matter. I wish you to note that; should any difficulty crop up in getting this second holder into use as I dismantled it, T will be pleased at all times to give any information possible to your Town Clerk, and if at all necessary will come back and see it tested.—The report was adopted. THE MAXAGFKISHIP. The following letter from Mr M. H. Hamilton, gas manager, was read at last night's Council meeting:— “I respectfully acknowledge your appreciation of my services, and (hank you most sincerely for the friendly spirit shown towards retaining me in tin* Council's employ. Had a move been made to provide me with a house, 1 would not have thought of a change, for it would not be possible for any manager to tind a more sociable class of people than I have found here in the houses of your customers Unit I visit every month, I have also found mv work easy and pleasant during (ho time I have been acting under your present Town Clerk. Hut you will readily note , gentlemen, the present Council is going out of ollice, and the opportunity to join the iamily might not-occur again during the next Council’s term of off(ice. Knowing the great support it is to the management to have a residence adjoining the works, I very reluctantly have to refuse vour kind offer.”

The Mayor said that the letter was a reply to the Council's resolution at the previous meeting asking Mr Hamilton to reconsider his decision to resign and offering him an increase in salary. As soon as he received the letter, the Mayor said he convened a meeting of the Gas Works Committee, and it was deidded to invite applications for the position. Fleven applications had been received, and the present meeting was called to deal with same. He moved, Cr Henderson seconded, and it was carried, “That the resignation of (he gas manager, Mr M. 11. Hamilton, be accepted with' regret, and that he be accorded a. vote of (hanks for his past services' and granted a month’s leave of absence on pay.

The Council then went into committee, and on resuming business it was decided, on the motion,of (he .Mayor, seconded by Cr Stevenson, that Air N. F. Baildon, of Waihi, be appointed to the position of gas works manager.