DISCOUNT ON GAS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 34, 9 August 1933, Page 9

DISCOUNT ON GAS

THE HUTT VALLEY

MOTION DISCUSSED

The following, motion, moved by My. D. W. Campbell, was considered at the meeting of the Petono and Lower Hutt Gas Lighting Board, last evening: "That this board reduco the gross prico of gas from 10s to Ss 6d per 1000 feet." Mr. Campbell said tho additional twenty-five per cent imposed ou thoso who did not meet their bills was a penalty, lie was not championing the unemployed, but all wero feeling tho financial stress. If the gross price of gass we're reduced all would be helped, and it would not be necessary to install so many slot gas meters. Tho chairman (Mr. W. G. Loader) said that if the motion was carried, tho price of gas would not bo any cheaper. A member said a motion bad been passed that the price of gas be considered in three months' time; that three months had not yet expired. In reply to questions, it was explained that Mr. Campbell's motion was that all penalty, except Is (10 per cent.), should be wiped out. Mr. E. T. E. Hogg stated that Mr. Campbell's motion, would not do away with the installation of slot gas meters. Mr. Campbell said the Wellington Gas Company's discount was Is 7d per 1000 feet. Mr. S. Clendon thought the secretary should have power- to deal with tho matter of the penalty in deserving cases, and if he was not given that power the discount should bo Is Gd or Is 9d per 1000 feet. It was explained-that tho secretary gavo consideration to deserving, cases when necessary, and on the motion of Mr. C. E. Brockelbank, it was .decided to hold the matter over until the motion on tho price of gas came up for consideration. KEORGANtSATION PROPOSALS. Considerable discussion took place on a motion by Mr. A. Seholcfield, proposing the reorganisation of the board m certain respects. Mr. Scholofiold's main proposal was that the board should have six members, instead of seven as at present, but this was defeated. Mr. Scholefield withdrew certain of his proposals, but his suggestion that the board should pay its share of election expenses incurred by the Petono Borough and the Lower Hutt borough on its behalf, was carried. Mr, Scholefield explained that the matter of tho seventh member was not a personal one. It was stated by members that the seventh member was originally appointed is case some question came up between tho two boroughs. Mr. Hogg said that whatever reason there had been*for the seventh member, there was a better reason for having him, today, and that was the great help a practical and skilled man was to tho board. The Harbour Board and other bodies had a general manager, but the Gas Board did not have one, and tho seventh member with practical experience savod the board salary costs in that vespect. He moved as an amendment to Mr. Scholefield's motion: (a) that there shall be a seventh member as at present; (b) that he be elected by the majority of tho votes of the other six members of the board, and failing a majority of the other six members agreeing on who shall bo seventh member; the Governor-General shall appoint him; (c) that whenever there shall be a general election of councillors in each borough tho electors of each borough shall elect three members of the board, no members to retain their scats without election at the next or any ]ator election; (d) that the chairman shall bo. appointed by tho majority of the members of the board as at present, and he bo appointed annually; (c) that the chairman retain his office until the election of a successor. The, amendment was carried, and ltwas decided to hold a mooting next Tuesday to consider tho deletion of certain clauses of tho 1927 amending Act. MANAGER'S REPORT. The report of the works manager (Mr. C. Shaw), presonted to the meeting, stated that in the njonth ended July 31, the amount of gas manufactured was 9,581,000 cubic feet, which was a decrease of 633,000 cubic feet compared with July, 1932, and an inMcaso of 28,000 cubic feet over June, 1933. The usual upkeep of the plant j was carried out during July. :