GAS !

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1781, 6 September 1884, Page 2

GAS !

A public meeting convened by Mr Rapp, at the request; of a number of persons interested, was held in the Institute last>night to discuss the best means to adopt to obtain a gas supply in Masterton. '

The Mayor occupied the chair at the request of the meeting, and opened the business by reading the advertisement in the Wairarapa - Daily calling the meeting. He was not in a position to state tlio views of the conveuer of vhe meeting, and he would loave the matter in the hands of thoso who had come prepared on the subject, ■ Mr Eapp said the gas supply was the burning question just now in Masterton. Two projects had been brought before the Council, one from Marlboro and one from Wellington. He that night had a third, and if there was any advantage or profit to he obtained let them start a purely local company on the co-operative principle, without any outside assistance whatsoever. It had been said Masterton possessed no capital wherewith to start a company of this magnitude, He would state they had the money! They did not know their own strength financially and had been in the leading strings of Wellington too loug. Let them get out .of the nurses hands, and show them that they could go alone now. His object was to form a purely local cooperative gas-consumers company, witha capital of £B,OOO, in' shares of £1 each, to be within the reach of all; payment on application to bo 2s 6d per share and 2s 6d on allotment, the balance in monthly calls, From information he had obtained, it would only be necessary to call up ,£4,000 of the proposed capital, any further amount that might be required would be easily obtainable upon the security of tho plant (Sic, so that the question really was, could they raise £4OOO locally with a purely Masterton directory. He said they could, and if so they could restrict the dividend to ten per cent, and all profit over that amount after making a fair allowance for wear and tear and providing a sinking fund, ■ should be divided amongst the consumers by way of a bonus at the end of the year in proportion to their consumption. That would be co-operation .pure and simple I and it was entirely in thoir own hands. Let them make the attempt and then if they were uuable to raise the funds locally it would be time enough to go outside of Masterton for capital, It was not a question of the rival merits of the two companies now before the Council. They had only themselves to consider, not Wellington nor Marlborough. He would move, That it is desirable to form a gas consumers company _ for the supply of gas on a co-operative basis, and the following gentlemen be appointed a committee to make, enquiries re cost of gas works and other data; also to prepare a prospectus for submission to a meeting to be held that night four weeks, viz., Messrs Jas, Macara, A. Elkins, M. Caselberg, A. W, Renall, T. Thompson, and the mover, with power to add to their number. i Mr Hogg seconded the motion. '(Mr Lowes' name appeared in the ■'list, but was withdrawn at' his request as incompatible with his official position as Mayor.) .'.'*. . Mr Caselberg said that after hearing the lucid explanation of Mr. Eapp' very consumer would be pleased if the

company could bo started locally: it would bo hotter than going outside. ;Mr Kapp may not be aware of it, but ■there are two proposals before the ■Council, and if ; th'ey decide on Monday night.next to grant the application of either one or. the other it would only be a waste of time what this meeting might do. Representation should be made to the Council to defer granting either application until the consumers were able to express their opinions, . Mr'. Kapp said he had a resolution prepared to that effect that he intended' bringing forward in its proper place later on.

Mr Caselberg suggested tqithe mover to settle the rumors that were afloat by informing -the meeting whether '■!% is' proposed company was to be starUd. free from any of the applicants before! tho Council.

Mr Rapp: Yes; and he hoped to be able to do without any outside aid whatever,—(Cheers),' Mr Kenall .said when important questions affecting the general welfare of the town were under public discussion Borough Councillors were always conspicuous by their adsence. He considered it to be their duty to attend such meetings as the present and supply the ratepayers whom they were supposed to represent, and who put them in power, with information they may be possessed of conducive to the general interests, of the burgesses. ■ The Council were supposed to. represent them, not to be despots. No doubt Or Caselberg would tell them, what he had done during the last three years. So far as he could see it was very little,

The. Chairman said he thought Mr Renall-was' travelling- out of his way, and not following the question. " -.

Mr Renall said he was. not bound to follow Mr Rapp. Une Councillor had told them what the Borough Council might do. Just on the eve of leaving office it was" not-right to bind' up their, succesessors. The .Council under the Municipal- Act. had power to establish a gas company, and he was not at all clear, but that it should be done by the Council. . He thought if they could: do the work (Mr Caselberg: Question!) Just so! What he would like to know was what the position of this question" before the Conncil then, as he might wish to move in tho matter.

The Chairman said in the first place he would intimate to Mr Renall that three Councillors were then present, and two or three others'were attending a meeting of Trust Lands. That would dispose of his charge of indifference on the part of Councillors, and as regarded the position of the applications before the Council, he would say that two propositions had been made and were noff under consideration.

Mr Renall said no one could cut up the Borough loads without the consent of the Council, and if the present Council would not carry out the wishes of the ratepayers, it was a simple matter to turn them out and get a set of men. who were willing. ■They'had the key to that by dividing the Borough into wards, The Chairman said he could not see the relevancy of the. last speaker's remarks. Mr Renall evidently wished to insinuate an idea that the' Borough Council wished to the retard the present movement, It was impossible for them to do so as they had never had anything before them in connection therewith. It was quite time to make a charge of that sort when the Conncil neglected the interests referred to. For his own part he did not see why the people of Masterton should not start their own gas, but they were so much afraid of rates that when any public question was raised it was always sat upon by the ratepayers, and there was such an amount of antagonistic feeling outside of the main street, which, till removed, would effectually deter any successful movement being carried for gas supply or water works. That was the difficulty that Councillors had to contend with in successfully conducting any measure of public utility.

Mr Renall said no answer had been given to what Mr Caselberg had said, that what this meeting might do might be annulled by the Council. The Chairman said any proposition that might come before the Council from this meeting would have due consideration.

Mr Olliver addressed the meeting and said he was there to represent the Marlboro' Gas Company, and was prepared to take up 400 shares in the local company or rig up the gas for them at a cost of £4OOO, with a thorough new plant from Birmingham. The Chairman said .he did not know whether tho remarks were pertinent, the question was whether a local gas consumers company should be formed. Mr Clayson trusted Mr Eapp would not take umbrage if he asked him a question. Was this in the interest of the consumers of gas, or was it an election dodge ?. Mr Eapp said the question was straight, and he-would give a straight answer. It was not an election dodge but was for the benefit of the consumers. .Hehad.no axe to grind in this matter not being in a position to take up many shares. Mr Clayson thanked him and hoped he would excuse his rustic simplicity. (Laughterj. ■ Mr Papworth' asked Mr Olliver whether the £4OOO included mains. Mr Olliver said it was impossible to say where the mains would be, but if the questioner would tell him where he lived he would inform him whether the gas would reach him. Did he expect him to chuck three or four thousand at them. What did he think a commercial man travelled on 1 (Laughter). The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. Mr Hogg then proposed—"That it is the opinion ot this meeting that the Masterton Borough Council should not accept either proposal now before them relating to the supplying of gas to the borough until they had the report of the committee appointed by the former resolution," He considered "the thanks of the meeting due to Mr Eapp for giving them the chance to speak on the gas question. Each business man who was likely to become a consumer should protect himself. Their interest to some slight

extent Jmd been threatened hr the recent movement of rival fmpes. Messrs Olliver and' Brown, through

their solicitors Messrs lieard and Gray,

had applied to the Council hy letter for the privilege of laying 'down gas mains, with sole right of disturbing the streets

for 15 years. As soon as the matter

was mooted some Wellington Pfitole cams forward with r scheme wLotiifc

requiring a monopoly. This -was less

dangerous than a scheme embracing a

ID years' monopoly " which;, would

render the tradespeople milk' cows for speculators. He was astonished the question should have been con- , sidered as it was by the Council, K and was glad the Wellington proposition came in to cause a delay in the

discussion, The business was done

strictly in committee, the Tress wore

•excluded and the whole was done

privately. A matter affecting the pockets of the ratepayers should not be doneiii ahole and corner manner, but

if there was nothing to hide, should be open straight and above board. It

was an insult to ask the raMtoycrs representatives to entertain ™h a

proposal-as a monopoly. The Ohaji'Man: It .was not enter tained. ' '•

Mr Hogg : Mr Caselbtrg had said there was no security that the /monopoly would not be granted at':the next

meeting, and' if a'danger. of this sort

menaced thein tney should-put -their foot down on it. . The town had.got to

its present position without gas,''and he did not see why the Council should

rush the matter through now.'-"i They wanted a month or two (o'obtaihulata

and secure the best scbenie'; tefore

arriving at a definite■'conclulipn;'' He thought there would.; be iio "difficulty in raising the required'.'capital, at a' low rate of interest. The plant-would be a good security for suclra purpose, and they ought.to' be in iippßitioii to 'raise the balance, not tp-have outsiders coming forward and sayitig they 'dbuld supply £4,ooo,worth of machinery' to . them. He thought as, business people they should get a good practical rnafn to act for them, not have ouMpL interfering with theuvinternal ;8Pfo& ' Mr Clayson seconded- the proposal; NJIr; Mr Papworth said- the .' cost of machinery for Masterton would riot exceed £3,100. '■ He was possessed of reliable data that after;, considering jie was enabled to arrive'-'-at a close.esti-

mate, The producing plant would'cbjb £2OOO to light up 5.000 inhabitant and,what would the balance represent. Mr Caselberg plumed the balance would be the agents' profit. •? ;' Mr Papwonh: Exactly: then why have an intermediate party 1' Mr Renall moved as an amendment that the words ";uutil the pending elections are determined". be: added to the resolution. He did not see why the' present Councillors who-'were just going out of office should"settle this question. The Council had shiit-iihenv

selves up and excluded .'the;.press, and they bad been tolchby one of them, Mr-' Caselberg, that what that meeting did' might be upset on Monday by the Council. He would., state-the Council-. wd3 a representative body.'■ anqffiiiyjfc had not the power to grant a monopoly?* Mr Caselberg said he was afraid he had let the cat out of the bag. '.'•'. Mr Renall was sorry he came thore with one in, -'•-••

The Chairman regretted Mr Hogg should haye imported an element entirely unnecessary, He could con-

trnclictseyer.il statementstliafc tiatlbcen made. The fifteen years monopoly liad been introduced into the letter by Messrs Beard & Gray in error, : and was withdrawn, otherwiso the Council would not have entertained it (hear, hear!). As to the treatment of those proposals there was nothing hole and corner in it. They had been discussed at a special meeting, mid' not being settled, were adjourned, The press were not excluded. With the exception of the two members of the press he was sorry to say very few ; burgesses attended the Council He regretted Mr Hogg- had to introduce personal matters into thafij. meeting. ' . T*"

Mr Eapp said it was not only Mr Hogg's opinion, but that of many of the public also that tho application would have been passed and no one known anything about in until'too late. ; ■

Mr Eenall asked who ordered the press, out. The Council went into committee and that excluded the press. Mr Eapp said the iatepayers, ought to lave been called<"togrther by tho Council and given a, voice in tho matter. They did not want Marlborough pills nor Wellington pills - shoved down their throats, no matter how nicely they were gilded. Mr Caselberg said he was sorry he hadmadeany remarks onbb'rough affairs When the Council wont into Committee he saw the Press leaving and asked His Worship whether they were excluded, and the Mayor said no- "'":. provided they did not report the pro- : ceedings.- -(Laughter.) Mr Eenall: The Chairnan foigot that.-(Renewed laughter.) Mr Caselberg: The resolution discussed whether they should' Ait permission to Wellington or' ™l- - and the feeling seemed to' him to favor the latter company, who had modified their original application from 15 years to two years. He thought a great deal of thanks were dua to Messrs Olliver and Brown for coming such a distance to arouse Maslerton from its slumbers, He (the speaker) "' had supported the Wellington application because they wanted no monopoly, and would place the shares in Masterton, but he considered Mr Eapp's scheme far and away the best bf the lot, and he would support it. The objection he had to the local scheme was that they had. got n.rn like Mr Renall who did all the talking, and when it ,* ' came to thebalf-a-erown was not there. They would have to get. a certain quota to vote for a Borough scheme if the Council took it in hand. When they had tried to' raise a loan for wat#* and drainage, Messrs Eenall, Woodroofe, and others opposed it, and he felt fewo they would vote against Ms. I; they wanted a thing to be a sue®, 'private enterprise would he the; most effectual mode of making it,qo v ... Mr Eenall said Mr.OaseiberWh jd hot told tbera how he had come forward about the Woollen Factory. He (the

speaker) had offered to put down £SOO to that. Mr Casclbcsrg: When Mr Seller wont to you for your share of the preliminary expenses—balf-a-crown—you told him, " Never mind that, say I paid it," Mr Renall dated say that was not tho first gross falsehood Mr Caselberg had uttered, and would not be the last. The Chairman, after calling order in vain, threatened to vacate the chair, Partial order having been restored, the Chairman put the resolution which was carried unanimously, A vote of thanks to the Chair terminated the meeting. BHmWBHHMW