GAS UNDERTAKING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 May 1939, Page 3

GAS UNDERTAKING

added burdrn of costs. VERY TRYING YEAR. “The year has been a very trying one, rising costs such as wages, coal, and freight during the last few years having added to the burden of the industry and one can only hope that conditions will become more stabilised and .that the change in the gas tariff will enable us to carry on without loss to the department,” stated the Gas Engineer-Manager, Mr J. Y. Douglas, in his annual report submitted to last nightls meeting of the Borough Council. Mr Douglas said fhat the total gas manufactured was 48,635,500 cubic feet, being a decrease of 1,008,000 cubic feet compared with last year, and gas sold was 40,9.70,000 .cubic feet, being a decrease of 181,000 cubic feet. .Owing to the mild weather experienced during last year the winter load was not so high and would account for the decrease in sales. Unaccounted for gas was 7,665,000 cubic feet or 15.7 per cent of the total manufacture. This is a decrease of approximately 4 per cent compared with last year. It was very pleasing to record a drop in unaccounted for gas and he hoped to reduce the figure still further during the coming year. The new governor device installed for the Bannister Street holder was working very well and must have saved a large amount of gas since put into commission. A to.tal .of 47 chains of 3-inch mains were laid during the year covering 22 chains

for Government houses and 25 chains in Cambridge Terrace. During the year a large number of small capacity meters have been replaced by larger ones and although meter costs have increased he felt confident that the department would be recompensed for the outlay.