A GOOD YEAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 36, 22 November 1937, Page 6

A GOOD YEAR

ASHBURTON GAS COMPANY. review of its activities. GOLDEN JUBILEE ATTAINED. Reports setting out the activities of the Ashburton Gas, Coal, and Coke Company, Limited, were presented at the annual meeting of shareholders this afternoon, when it was stated that the year had once more been fairly successful. The meeting was presided over by the chairman of directors (Mr W. B. W. Bell). The annual report and balance-sheet (already published in the “Guardian”) were presented to the meeting. Moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the chairman congratulated shareholders on another fairly successful year. The profit was £296 less than for the previous year, he said, and this was accounted for by the fact that salaries and wages increased by £l9O, repairs and maintenance by £l3O, and bank interest by £7O. On the other hand there was a slight decrease in general expenses and coal amounting to £23, and an increase in sales of £7l. The other figures were on a par with the previous year. The directors had satisfaction in reporting that the plant and buildings were in excellent condition. Since the previous annual meeting the outlet main from the works to East Street, and then to tlie corner of Walnut Avenue and West Street, had been replaced with much larger capacity pipes. As well, a new main had been laid along West Street, from Walnut Avenue to Burnett Street, and, as anticipated, had given a more even pressure and distribution of gas throughout the town and suburbs. There was still some linking up to the new main to be undertaken by joining up a few more streets, and this would be carried out from time to time as the demand warranted it, bo added. Some alterations had been made at the works, and it was the policy of the Board to improve, as far as possible, the conditions under which the staff were working and to modernise the plant as circumstances permitted. The consumption or output of gas showed a steady increase and the sale of appliances, such as cookers, fires, coppers and water-heaters, etc., was increasing. The directors had contracted for the sale of the output of tar for two years at a satisfactory figure. The demand for coke was greater than the supply during the winter months, and it would assist the company considerably if regular consumers would stock up with their annual coke z-equiremenets during the summer. Dr. J. Russell Wells had been elected to the vacancy on the directorate caused by the death of Mr Robert Clark. Shareholders would be interested to learn that the company entered its 60th year last August, and the directors woiild shortly give consideration to the best way of celebrating the Golden Jubilee. Prospects for ihe coming year appeared to be bright, and shareholders would be glad to know that the twelve workers’ dwellings in course of erection by the Government were being fitted with gas cookers.

The chairman concluded by thanking bis co-directors for their helpful cooperation and careful attention to the Company’s business, and by acknowledging the conscientious and loyal services rendered by the manager and staff- throughout the year. It was decided that the directors’ fees for the ensuing year should be £2OO.

Mr F. A. Hickman was re-elected auditor, and the retiring directors, Mr M. Bruce and Dr. J. Russell Wells were re-elected unopposed. Votes of thanks were passed to the directors, the manager and staff for their services.

At a subsequent meeting of directors, Mr W. B. W. Bell was re-elected chairman.