Water-Gas for Waimate.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 143, 19 December 1901, Page 3

Water-Gas for Waimate.

At last night's meeting of the Borough Council a letter was received from. Mr manager of the Balclutha Water-gas Company, forwarding a draft of agreement proposed to be made between the Council and his Company, referring to the cost of coal gas in Timaru he sud that the former had twice the candle power of the Utter, and the cost in Timaru at the beginning of their works was 153 or 20s per 1000 feet. Waimata's consumption would be small for some years, as the gas was of a high candle-power, and very little of it was used, as compared with coal gaß. The Clerk stated that in reply to his queries he learned that Pahiatua had seven street lamps with double burners, and these cost 8a per month* The ratepayers thought it too dear. Mr Nicol reported that he had gone to Balclutha to make enquiries about the gas, and found only one man against it, while it seemed that he had been an un* successful tenderer for erecting I the gasworks. Some others were against the manager, but no one else objected to the gas itself. A one-horse power gas engine he saw cost Id per hour. Most of the people were enthusiastic in its favour. The gas made a splendid street light, and he was highly pleased, with it. The works ware very simple, and gas for a night could be made ma couple of. hours, He-would like to see similar works ioWaimate*

.'3)he 'Oounoil passed, a vote of thanks to Mr Nicol for his report. Mr Nicol said if the gas were got into Waimate a number of small industries would be certain to up. • After ,a conversational discussion Couucillor Barclay moved that a committee consisting of the Mayor, Councillors Nicol, Ooltman, Sinclair and the mover should bea committee to ascertain from Mr Watt what more advantageous terms they could get. The mover was largely in favour of the gas, but thought the agreement should be gone into ser'i-. atim and everything made clear.

Councillor Nicol said he was in favour of, going on with the scheme that night if it were made clear that the company's monopoly would latt no longer than 25 years. Councillor Coltman was also of this opinion, as 25 years ".was a long l«ase. His Worship said 15 years was long enough. If in that time the gas were proved to be good and the price low enough Mr Watt would not need a monopoly to carry on business'.: Councillor Coltman seconded the motion pro forma. Mr Nicol moved an amendment thtit the offer of the Water Gas Co. should be accepted subject to it being made clear that the Council had no responsibility after the 25 years. Couucillor Sinclair said he was not in favour of accepting the offer. They could get a better offer from anyone, and thire -was a danger of the company going elsewhere and Waimate losing its lighting.

After further discussion a motion by Messrs Barclay and Coltman was carried— "That the offer of the Water Gas Co., per Mr J. Watt, manager, be accepted subject to the Council's responsibility ceasing at the end of 15 y eaaß _that the draft agreement should be reviewed by the Council's solicitor and a committee consisting of the Mayor and Councillors Nicol, Barclay, Sinclair and Coltman should communicate with Mr Watt to see if arrangements could be made on these terms."