SUMNER GAS SUPPLY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29278, 9 August 1960, Page 14

SUMNER GAS SUPPLY

Rejection Of Gas Council’s Terms A meeting of the gas committee of the Lyttelton Borough Council on August 3 thoroughly discussed the New Zealand Gas Council’s proposal that the borough take over the Sumner gas supply, said the committee, when, it reported to a meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council last evening. It recommended that the Borough Council reply to the gas council saying that it was unable to take over the supply of gas to Sumner on the terms set out by the Gas Council. A letter drafted in terms of the recommendation said that the Borough Council had carefully considered points mentioned in the letter received from the Gas Council at the last meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council. Investigation had shown that information previously given by the Borough Council that the gas sales at Sumner were about 5,000,000 cubic feet a year were incorrect. According to the Christchurch city treasurer sales at Sumner for the year ended June 30, 1959, were 4,780,300 cubic feet, and sales for the year ended June 30, 1960, were 3,621,800 cubic feet. The Borough Council could only expect sales of about 2,750,000 cubic feet if it supplied the Sumner area. Investigations had shown that the income from the sale of gas, coke, and tar and from Government subsidies would be £3350, and the expenditure would be £4824, leaving a deficit Of £1474. The Borough Council regretted that it was unable to take over the supply of gas to Sumner on the ■ terms set. out by the Gas Council, but would be willing to supply gas in bulk at Lyttelton. The Borough Council decided to forward the letter to the Gas Council.