HUTT VALLEY GAS SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 300, 13 September 1921, Page 7

HUTT VALLEY GAS SUPPLY

THE LAST WORD? “MAY NOT BE,” BAYS MAYOR OF PETONE ’ At last. night's meeting of the Petone .Borough Council, a communication was 'received from the secretary of the Board ■ of Trade, Wellington, who acknowledged receipt of the council’s letter embodying resolutions passed, relative to the supply ,of gas to the Hutt borough, and in reply advised that the board was at present ■in communication with the Hutt Council on the matter. A further letter ad- ■ vised the council that the board had in- ' terviewed representatives of the Hutt ; Council, who made it clear that it had been definitely decided to. proceed with the erection of the gasworks at the Hutt, and that they werp not prepared to continue as consumers after the expiration of the existing agreement. , Councillor A. Anderson moved that the letters be “received,” and that the Board .of Trade be thanked for its information. ' Councillor G. Cook seconded the mo.tion. ' , , The Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) said that from the tone of the letters they might be considered the “last word.' "I’m not disposed,” said Mr. M'Ewan, “to say that it is the last word. As far as we are concerned. When we have the advantage, as vie will have in the course of the next two and a half or three years, of having a .of electric current for the district, I would rather be in the position of owner of the Petone Municipal Gasworks than owner of those which it is proposed to. erect at Lower Hutt. This may not be the 'last word,' and consequently it is unnecessary for me to make further comment at this stage." ■ The motion was carried without further discussion., FURTHER POLL LIKELY. Mr. T. D. C. Bell, of Lower Hutt, informed the council that there was a likelihood of a further poll being taken of Hutt ratepayers on the gasworks proposals, and he asked if the Petone Council would be prepared to supply Lower Hutt with gas for a period of ten years on a basis of 10 japr cent, on. lZ cost of production, or, the amalgamation of ’the two boroughs. Mr. M'Ewan eaid that .Petene's position in/the matter was quite clear. The Boa?d of Trade had asked them to consider three questions, namely, a new agreement, joint control, and amalgamation of the two boroughs. When the 1 . proposals were first submitted the Petone Council had rejected! the secondjoint control —but had favoured the ■_ framing of a new agreement, and, failing that, amalgamation. 1 "I don’t ‘ krow that we have changed our minds ' since," observed Mr. M'Ewan.* , '• Councillor A. Anderson was of opinion that the Hutt Council were not likely to ■ listen to the-writer of the letter. "Let him convince the people of Lower Hutt," said Councillor Andereon, "and let them approach us. Wo would be wasting our ' time to make further proposals. . . . ' As • long as the Hutt Council is constituted as it is there will be nothing doing for us."

The Mayor said that the Petone Council was quite prepared to consider the amalgamation of the two boroughs. Councillor I>. S. Bedingfield said that a mere reply could not be considered as being anything in the nature of an 1 overture.

“ The Mayor moved that a reply be sent \ Mr. Bell, informing;him that the coun- •" -cib. hadi previously considered the two main > points -in his letter—the new agreement on a basis of 10 per cent. ■ above actual cost price jjjid the question of amalagamation—and that they were still, of the same opinion. Tn seconding the motion, Councillor Bedingfield said that the position might ho that the people in the Hutt were - trying to force.the hand of their council

Councillor W. Hay considered that the council would be wasting effort to move in the matter. -He agreed with Councillor Anderson that Petone should have been approached by Lower Hutt. Councillor J. L. Chtirchhouse said that it was Petone’s place to stop what he described as "an economic suicide." The Valley was suffering from an excess of local government control, and that was retarding its real progress. ’ The motion was carried.