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Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 290, 1 September 1908, Page 10

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THE CAS QUESTION DISCUSSED. A conference- between the-■-Petone and Lower Hutt Borough Councils was held in tlio letono Council Chamber last evening. •!' 7 " M'Euan, Mayor <it Petone, presided,and there were also present the followol g : —Petone: Councillors Colo, Short, \oung, Smith, Loddcr, Southgate, Castle, Colqulioun, and Dr. Harding. Lower Hutt: Tho Mayor (Mr. Poterkin) and Councilors Bussell -Hodgins, Baldwin, Ward, V WfA Wll( ! smit| i> Ross, and Judd. Mr. •ii ' i '7 an ' welcoming tho Hutt CounciUors to tlio Petone Council Chamber, said ho hoped that they would be able to come to a settlement of the gas question that night They had many things in common, and Petono had a say in many of tho Hutt schemes.

Mr. Petcrkm, Mayor of Lower Hutt thanked tlio Petone Mayor for his welcome Lower Hutt did not want to know what Petono could manufacture gas for, but what was the lowest possible price that tho Hutt Council could get gas for. Mr. Peterkin said ho was of opinion that Petone could not manufacture gas as cheaply as the Lower Hutt, simply because, in the first place' the Petone gasworks were in the wrong place: and, secondly, because it was necessary to expend a lot of money to put wrong riglit. Councillor Baldwin (Lower Hutt) said ha was not in favour of the conference. He believed the Hutt should erect a gasworks of its own.

Councillor Ward (Lower Hutt) thought that every councillor should be open to conviction. He considered, however, that Petone wanted too much for the by-products, and also he considered that tho term was too long—viz., seven years—but hewould not object to a term of, say, four years.. Neither did he think the' difference in price, would warrant tho Hutt erecting a gasworks; but he did:take exception to the Hutt Council having to take tar every week. Councillor Russell (Lower .Hutt) asked if it was possible to get coke for less than 18s. per ton; but it was explained that tho price paid by outsiders was 21s. 4d.

Councillor Ross (Lower Hutt) thought tho first question to decide, was tho main question._ The by-products question could bo settled in five minutes. The.v liiid a report from tho Hutt engineer nnd Mr. Birch' that they could manufacture gas at 3s! 7d. per 1000 cubic feet. Mr. M'Ewan explained that, in order to supply gas .it would be necessary to raise a loan of £8000. It was important that the term should be seven years, because the Petone Council feared that the Hutt might arrange to get electric light from the tram board._ and, perhaps, also arrange for pri-. vato lighting. As for the question' raised as to the site of the Petone gasworks, ho was not sure that it'was not in'the very best position for supplying the Hutt. Valley; but one thing they could say was that.'Petona was in a position to turn out at the present time 2o _ million cubic feet: ' Councillor Russell asked what ■ guarantee the Lower Hutt would have that at tho end of seven years it would not bo. cut off. Further discussion _ was left over, each council wishing to consider the matter separately in tho meantime. Tho question of tho bridge was also discussed. • : ■ - At the end of the conference refreshments were served in ,the Mayor's room, and various toasts wero drunk.

' PETONE BOROUGH COUNCIL. At last night's meeting of the Petone Borough Council the gas question was discussed. The Mayor read a' letter ■ from • the; Minister, for Crown-'lands regarding the Heretaunga' settlement "in ■. answer' to - the letter ■■■ sent by the P l etone Council asking for a permit to lay a drain across the settlement in connection with the eastern drainage .< scheme." The Minister said he could not grant a permit; which means that the scheme will have to be held over for tho present. ' His Worship moved that the matter; be; left in the hands of the engineer and himself to arrange'. Tho motion was carried. A was also read from tho Minister for ! Labour regarding the water service, stating that tho application was only made in order to test the hot water service before' tho houses, could-be handed over to. the Labour Department. The council will further consider the matter, when an application., for water comes from , the Labour Department..-^ Tho Mayor and Councillor Cola were appointed to sign tho rate book. , ' LOWER HUTT BOROUGH COUNCIL.' A special meeting of the Hutt Borough Council was held last "night. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. T. A. Peterkin) was in the chair, and Councillors Russell, Ward, O'Sullivan, Ross, Wildsmith, and Judd were also present. The business of 'the meeting'was to levy the rates for the .year, ■ The interest rate of 83-100 d. and the general 'rate of 2d. in' the £ were struck ana Councillor Russell and Ward 'were appointed to sign the rato book. The Council then proceeded to Pctono' to meet the Petone Council in conference on the gas question.