HUTT VALLEY GAS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 101, 2 May 1933, Page 8

HUTT VALLEY GAS

PRICE REDUCTION

The. price of. gas in tho Hutt .Valley; was mentioned by members of the Pctone Civic. League "ticket" at their Petdno meeting last night. , Mr. C. P. Brockelbaak, & present member, of the Petone and Lower Hutt Gas Lighting Board, who is seeking - re-election, said thati the board had had serious difficulties to face and had.not been able to make more than a 5 per cent, reduction iv the price of gas. He hoped that another 5 per cent, reduction would bo possible in the comingyear. - • # '. '' We are payiug too Much .for gag m the Valley," said Mr,. D. M. Dickson, a candidate for the Gas Board., He pointed out that .the Wellington Gas Co. supplied gns at a considerably; lower rate, yet paid its shareholders aria ita board of directors and had a bigger proportionate overhead charge to meet than Peton<o had. It was .the, general opinion that the Gas Board was a profitable concern, and the consumers were entitled to know its position. If elected ho would do all ha could to provide cheaper gas. Mr. E. T. E. Hog]?, another member of tho -board who is seeking re-elec-tion, claimed some of tho credit for tho reduction in the pries of gas, which ho said had been effected by the,.uso r of New Zealand- coal and because of tho interest reduction. Ho forecasted a reasonable Kope of another reduction this year. -In his opinion tho ga» works1, had been purchased from theborough at too high a figure, and it was the payment of so rnuclr interest that kept the price of gas up. The question, of bulk purchasing of gus from Weilington at a figure that -would give a substantial l-eduction to the ■ _ Hutt Valley consumers was being considered, by the board.