PORT CHALMERS GASWORKS.

Evening Star, Issue 14036, 17 April 1909, Page 8

PORT CHALMERS GASWORKS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —As a regular subscriber to your paper for a number of years, I wish permission to refer to a matter of importance to myself and other residents of Port Chalmers. I refer to the rruuiicipalisation of the gasworks. This need for improvement was emphasised when our present mayor was asked to stand for office a year ago, but we seem to he no nearer our goal. A special committee of the Council have been negotiating for the purchase of the gasworks, and I, and no doubt many besides myself, would like to know what progress has been made. I think it is reasonable to ask this special committee to submit a written report before they go out of office, so that ratepayers may know how the matter stands. I can see no reason why residents of Port Civ,;liners should not enjoy the advantage of using gas at the same price as the citizens of Dunedin. If the present suppliers make any objection to complying with their original agreement to Kill tits gasworks at valuation, then I suggest that the Council immediately proceed to -take a poll of the ratepayer?; for permission to float a loan for the construction of a new gasworks. As the present plant, or portions of it, must he upwards of forty years old, and consequently to a certain extent antiquated, the building of new works would probably be the cheapest investment in the end. I have it on good authority- that a plant much simpler than the elaborate City works would adequately supply Port Chalmers.—l am, etc.. Ratepayer. Port Chalmers, April 16.