FEILDING GAS SUPPLY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8754, 2 March 1907, Page 2

FEILDING GAS SUPPLY.

On Tuesday evening last, at tho invitation of the Feildiug Borough .Council, Mr Smithies, tho Wanganui Gas Engineer, met a committee of the Council to advise as to tho establishment of a gasworks in the town, or the purchase of the ouo in existence.

■■ There is au agreement, which was made between tho Feilding Gas Company and tho Borough Council as to the terms under which the plant could ho purchased, hut it appears that it can have no effect in regard to fixing of purchasing price, and the Council can only buy at tho valuation of its plant made by the Company, which is £16,500. Tho sum is considered by the Council as excessive, while at the same time it asserts that tho price charged, both for public and private lighting, is far too high. The Borough Council held a meeting yesterday to receive and discuss the report from the comniitcc winch was set up to interview Mr Smithies. This was to the effect that the Borough was advised by the expert to erect a gas plant at a cost of about £13.000, the money being borrowed at A% per cent, wit a 3 per cent, sinking fund, and snply gas to consumers at 6s per 1000 instead of the price of 10s 6d not now to ho charged by the company. Tho Council would be able to make a profit on tho byproducts at this price. M. Smithies would superintend tho erection of the works at 5 per cent on the cost. It was pointed out to the committee by Air Cmithies that since the reduction in price of gas atAVaugauci the daily consumption had become greater than the night consumption, so greatly had tho use of gas increased for-power. Mr Smithies, not having been over tho Feildiug works, could not, of course, give a valuation. The Council resolved to accept Mr Smithies’ offer to value tho plalit at Foi filing gasworks for £3O.