REDUCTION IN PRICE OF GAS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2658, 13 November 1923, Page 2

REDUCTION IN PRICE OF GAS.

GAR MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION'. At Inst night’s Council meeting’, ihc gas manager (Mr Downes), in his report, recommended that the Council reduce the price of gas as follows: Lighting from 11/8 to 10s nett: cooking from 10/5 to 0/2 nett per 1,000 c.ft. The Mayor said that while the Council welcomed the electric power ns a boon to the borough, they must do something to urge the present consumers to stick by the gns works, when the power arrives. A reduction in the price of gas was the only thing to do this. He considered they would bo very fortunate if they maintained SO per cent, of tlie present consumers when the power was available. However, he did not consider that too big a reduction was wise. Tt bad not been provided for in the estimates and the Council had to find £7lO in interest and sinking fund per annum for the works. The best thing they could do was to get consumers to increase their cooking consumption. He moved tlie following motion, seconded liy Cr. Bryant: That the price of gas be reduced by 10d per 1,000 c.ft. for cooking, heating, power and lighting. This reduction on all gas used as from the Ist December.

Mr Downes, gas manager, pointed out that it would only be necessary to increase each consumer’s consumption by 300 ft. per month. The increase would cover any deficiency due to loss by the installation of electric power, according to his reckoning. He pointed out that it would pay consumers to use the gas for heating and cooking at the new price of 0/2 as proposed by him. as this would prove cheaper than buying coal. The Mayor considered the manager’s suggested reduction too big. They could not afford to play with this matter. If accounts did not come out square on the 31st March next (he money would have to lie found by the Councillors. Or. McMurray said that the whole matter of reduction hinged on whether the Government would bring its coal through Foxton. An agitation was afoot to get this done at present. Cr. Geo. Coley said that he was sick of hearing people talk of the Government bringing its coal through the port of Foxton.

The Mayor said that a further reduction would be made Tutor if possible. Crs. Walker and Smith also spoke in favour of the proposed reduction of lOd per 1,000 c.ft. and said that the lower they brought the cooking rate, the bigger would bo the consumption. ftv. Coley said that the matter should have boon referred to the gas committee. ITe was opposed to a reduction. Ti was an injustice to those who were not supplied with gas lull who had to share the rate. The Council bad “sucked the blood” of these ratepayers for 14 years and had given them no benefits. He considered people would not burn any more gas because it was cheaper.

Cr. AleMirrrav said they must make the gas works pay and a reduction in price was the only tiling for them to do with the coming of electric power. Cr. Coley said the electric power would not be available until 192-1. They should hold the matter over until ALnreli 31st, 1924. The Alavor said there was an agent in town at present- canvassing for consumers for electric power. If was necessary to meet this competition now.

The motion was then put and carried, Crs. Coley and Adams voting against.