GAS WORKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2295, 28 June 1921, Page 3

GAS WORKS.

MANAGER ANSWERS QUES-

TIONS,

At the last ordinary meeting of the Borough Council, Cr. Martin asked for certain information in connection with the gas works administration, and at last night's meeting of the Council the Gas Committee submitted the following replies from the Gas Manager: — , (1). Re Whittaker Street residences. Without employing any extra labour, six chains of 2-inch main was laid down in Hall Street, and six chains of l-J-inch main along Whittaker Street, to serve six houses. We fitted up three of the houses. As I could not leave the works, I instructed Mr J. McColl to fit up two houses. Owing to one house changing hands, the work still remains to be done there. I employed Mr P." Robinson to assist in fitting up the school. (2.) The manufacturing plant is in bad repair, and it is recommended that new plates be put on the little holder where required, and that the whole be scraped and covered with protective covering. (3.) I always commence meter reading at the beginning of the month, and am finished about, the Bth, unless coal comes in or repairs have to be done at the works. (4.) The total cost of repairs to the 30th April, 1021, is £47 8s lid. (5.) There has been no complaints of poor quality of gas since May lltli, when a new float was put in the compensator. (0.) Other than two houses in Whittaker Street, and the fitting up of the Racing Club cottage, and the school, the work has all been done by the staff. Last month some one tampered with the furnace, and this has caused me much worry,” Cr. Martin stated that in connection with the school gas connections they had been held up for 12 months, and that the work was to be undertaken by the gas works staff, which was not done, but was .subsequently handed to Mr IV Robinson, who was assisted by Mr McKnighl. The answers to Numbers (1) and ((>) were practically the same. In the past more fitting had been dons by the staff than in the last twelve months. The policy of the Borough Council is to make the gas works pay. Previous managers had been able to cope with the work, and he thought if the gas works were to he a paying concern the works should be undertaken by the staff, as in the past. With regard to the Whittaker Street main, the trench had not been properly filled in, and should a carl get into the trench it would be the end of the main. The plant at the works was in a state of total disrepair, and something should be done to remedy matters. As to the meter reading, some meters were not read until about the 15th, and consumers were thus deprived of their discount. The repairs account he considered to be rather high. A great deal of the - trouble at the work's was with the engine,, due to the bad quality of the gas. Other people had had similar engine trouble. He also understood that the policy of the Council was to connect the pipes from the main to the meter, which has been abandoned. The Mayor pointed out that house connections were charged for from the fence.

Cr. Bryant stated that the council had never received any' application from the School Committee for the work to be done.

Cr. Coley stated that in connection with the gas fitting at the school, the work had been left in his hands, but it was not nearly 12 months ago. Cr. Martin pointed out that it would he 12 months in July since the work was authorised. The'report was adopted.