SUMNER GAS SUPPLY

Press, Issue 29236, 21 June 1960, Page 14

SUMNER GAS SUPPLY

Continuation The 300 consumers of gas in Sumner who have resisted the persuasion ot the present city council and past councils to change to electricity will probably have their gas supply continued. Last week the city council reaffirmed a decision to end the supply of gas on December 31. Yesterday, city representatives met representatives of the New Zealand Gas Council and the Lyttelton Borough Council, the the result of the discussion will probably be . a pipeline over the hill, from the bofough, which has a modern gasworks with an

increasing potential demand. The city council has never been keen on remaining a gas supply authority. It “inherited” the responsibility when Sumner amalgamated with the city during the war years, and It has been trying to shed it ever since. The Gas Council recently proposed that Lyttelton should take over the supply. The borough council was unwilling, but it is believed that as a result of the discussions yesterday the way is clear for the borough to go ahead with supply. Mr C. I. Kidsan, a member of the New Zealand Gas Council, with Mr N. E. Kirk, the member of Parliament for Lyttelton, yesterday had discussions with borough and city council representatives.

Cr. A. R, Guthrey, chairman of the city council’s works committee, said later that if Lyttelton was prepared to take over the supply he could see no objection. Because there was a need for urgency, a scheme covering the transfer or lease of the mains and land would probably be put to the city council at its special estimates meeting on Thursday, can see no snags or difficulties.” he said.

Cr. H. P. Smith, chairman of the city council’s finance committee, said: “I am hopeful that the gas supply to Sumner can be continued."

Cr. Smith and Cr. Guthrey took part in the discussions yesterday. The works committee has the responsibility of overseeing the running of the small gasworks; the finance committee of meeting the deficit on the operations—£23oo last year.