The Feilding Gas Works.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 45, 21 August 1897, Page 2

The Feilding Gas Works.

An epoch in the history of Feilding was marked yesterday when gas was laid on from the recently erected works, As is well known by the burgesses a movement was started in Feilding within the last two years for the purpose of lighting tbe town by some meaDS other than that of kerosene lamps. At first there was a feeling in favor of lighting by electricity. A poll was taken to raise a loan for tbe purpose of installing tbe electric light. This poll was carried by a very narrow majority and it was found that owing to a slight informality the Ceuncil were enable to raise such loan. Therefore, sooner than risk the delay of going through the proceedings again it was decided to grant concessions to a company to light the town. After mature consideration the Borough Council came to the conclusion tbat it would be ad visible to grant the Dtcessary concessions to a Wellington syndicate who had made an offer to provide gas. In due course the works were started and are now practically completed. Although, owing to the force of circumstances the company were unable to light tbe various business premises in the town last evening as intended, yet sufficient gas bad been made to provide a brilliant light in tbe Volunteer Hall, where the company entertained tho business men of Feilding at a banquet. Jadging from the light in the Hal) a first class light will be provided and absolutely no smell could be detected. As a fitting celebration of the installation of gas in Feilding the Directors of the Gas Company decided to entertain the business men and ratepayers of Feildiug at a banquet, wbicb was held, as stated, in the Volunteer Hall last evening. Upwaids of one hundred guests were present. It may Dot be out of place here to give a brief description of tho gas works. They are erected opposite the railway line, a few chains below tbe station, on the eastern side of the line. From the road a 30ft by 35ft retort bouse is entered, which is built of corrugated iron, the walls being the full height (namely, 20ft.;. In tbis tbe coal is stored and it is- capable of holding fifty tons of coal. The retort house contains two benches cf retorts. Iv an adjoining apartment is a " washer " for extracting tbe tar from the gas, and wbich is capable of dealing with 100,000 feet in twenty fonr hours. Outside the retort house is the condensing plant for cooling and precipitating the tar and ammoniacal liquor. Outside the retort house there is a pair of 6ft purifiers (C. W. Walker's). From tbis tbe gas passes through one of Parkinson's station meters, at tbe rate of 2400 ft an hour. From this meter the gas passes to a bolder wbich is of 15,000 ft capacity. The holder is made of steel and is by Clayton and Son, of England, who are tbe well known makers of tbe largest gas holders in tbe world. Instead of a brick and puddle tank for the holder a steel tank bas been erected, tbe reason for this being that there is now no danger through earthquakes. In the bolder there are 60 tons of steel and in its construction 30,000 rivets were used. Tbe tank, wbicb is 40ft x 12ft, had to be pumped full of water and for this purpose the engiue of the Feilding Fire Brigade was brought into requisition and about 110,000 gallons of water was pumped into it. To provide this quantity of water a well 9ft square by 16ft bad to be dug. Already four miles of mams bave been laid down and the number of consumers is very satisfac tory, almost tbe whole of tbe principal business men in the town having it laid ou. Mr Stuuell is the carbonising fore* mau at tbe works, and for his accommodation a comfortable cottage bas been erected.

At the banquet in the Volunteer Hall Mr J. M. Richardson (chairman ef directors) presided. Dr Fell (a director) and Mr Jones, also of Wellington, were amongst those present. After full justice had been done to the sumptuous repast provided tbe usual toasts were enthusiastically honored. *"Mr J. M. Richardson (of Wellington) proposed " The Queen," which was drank witb musical honours.

Mr Richardson also proposed the toast " The Parliament of New Zealand," coupled witb the name of Mr F. Y. Lethbridge, M.H.R., for Rangitikei. In proposing the toast Mr Richardson said tbey had met there for their social enjoyment and it was not for them to introduce politics, but all colonists took a direct interest in the laws and administration of Parliament and it was fitting that tbey should honour this toast. The toast was drank with musical honors. In rising to respond Mr Lethbridge was received with enthusiastic applause and be suitably acknowledged tbe hearty manner in which the toast bad been honoured. Dr Fell proposed " The Army and Navy" and in doing so referred to tho recent brilliant display of tbe British fleet, and expressed the opinion tbat tbe volunteers in New Zealand had met with but scanty treatment from the Government. The toast was coupled with the name of Captain Kirton, of tbe Manchester Rifles, who thanked tbem for tbe honor done tbe army and navy. In doing so he referred in feeling terms to the death of General Feilding, who had rendered assistance to the local corps. He, also, referred to the gallantry of tbs British Army and Navy who knew not what defeat was- At the conclusion of his speech those present stood and sang " Rule Brittania." Mr Richardson proposed " Tha Mayor and Connoil of Feilding," coupled with name of tbe Mayor (Mr W. A. L. Bailey) and Cr E. Goodbehere. In doing so he pointed out tbat they looked to the Council for the proper carrying out of local affairs as tbey looked to Parliament for dealing with matters of more general importance and that a person who accepted a position on a Council had often to sacrifice his own private interests for those in connection with his i office.

In replying Mr Bailey took the opportunity of tbe presence of so many ratepayers to express tbe opinion tbat tbey (the ratepayers) expected too much of councillors considering the little amount of money there was at the disposal of the Council. They bad a number of expensive bridges to maintain wbich bad been a considerable strain on their finances. During his term of office he would bave liked to have formulated and brought forward a scheme for drainage and water, but owing to the state of their finances tbis could not be done. They bad to pay a large rate on tbe first loan wbieh * was raised when money was scarce. This loan would not expire for five or six years. They had to provide a sinking fund for their loan and he would like to do what tbey do in " another place," namely, collar tbe sinking fund. If they could do so it would be of advantage to the Borough, as he did not see why they should be compelled to liquidate existing debts, but sbouid leave a share for future generations, as they had to bear a share of the debt themselver. Most of the sinking fund had been placed on interest but it was unlikely they wonld be able to let it out for tbe last two or three years prior to tbe loan falling due as no one would take it for such a short term.

Cr Goodbehere congratulated the company on tbe splendid illuminating power of tbe gas an displayed by the light in tbe ball, and he boped tbey would . keep tbat up. It had been found impossible for tbo Borongh Council to provide lighting for tbe town and the Council did the next best thing by getting someone else to do it. Ho bad been conneoted with the Council

for nine yenrs and be waa now sui prised to bear tbem say tbe Council were "jolly good fellows." Referring to the requirement which existed for water and drainage in tbe town, he suggested that the gas company should proyide a water supply in a «imiUr manner to that in which the gas bad been provided. Relerrirjg to the progress of the town since (he borough was formed he said forty miles of roads hud been made since the formation of the borough. He thought it wonld be a good idea if they conld reduce the area of the borongh and make it more compact, when it would be far better for them.

Mr Vile (Mayor of Pahiatua) proposed the "Prosperity of Feilding" coupled with the name of Mr W. G. Haybittle and in doing so referred lo the progress of the town since be first saw it, shortly after it was surveyed. He thought it would be a good idea if the Member for the District would petition Parliament in the direction of making provision to enable boroughs whose areas were too large for practical purposes to reduce tbeir boundaries.

In replying, Mr Haybittle said he bad been in the town for twenty • four years, and nobody wished it pros, perity more than he. Their loan was £6000 and the sinking fund now amounted to £2000. He felt sure they would be able to meet the loan when it fell due and that they would get their water and drainage in due cnuree.

Mr W. A. L. Bailey proposed " Tbe Gas Undertaking," and in doing so said the company were deserving of every success for their enterprise in pushing ou with the work. He bad been in favor of the Borough doing the lighting, and meetings bad been held to test tbe feeling of the ratepayers. It was de» cided to take a poll on the question, with the result that it was carried by oue vote, and this vote was by a rate-> payer who bad voted for tbe proposal by mistake in place of against as he intended, after riding thirty miles, In face of tbe small majority the Council did not feel justified in going on with tbe lighting to tbey gave it over to a company. If the lighting was continued as good as it was on this occasion tbey had not made a mistake. He bad hoped to see the streets lighted up by this but they bad been unable to get the posts. However, he expected the streets would be lighted within a month. In reply Mr Richardson thanked those present for their attendance, which showed tbeir interest in ibe undertsking. He considered the prosperity of the town was assured as tbere was the material in tbis district for making it the most prosperous on the coast. Tbey could, with the incandescent burners, bave as good a light as the electric light. Touching on tbe suggestion made by Cr Goodbehere with reference to tbe gas syndicate providing a water supply, he thought there would be no difficulty in tbis direction in the event of tbe Council deciding not to do so themselves. Mv W. A. L. Bailey proposed " Tbe manager, Mr Trnebridge," and in doing so congratulated the company on securing the services of sucb a good manager whom, be said, was one of the best business men he had met.

In reply, Mr Truebridge took the opportunity to thank tbe Mayor and Councillors for tbe pleasant manner they bad met bim in dealing with tbe necessary arrangements. He was sorry they bad been unable to light the town, bnt this was due to unavoidable circumo stances, the weather having bean unfavorable. He thanked them for the large amount of support accorded tbe company and he hoped the confidence placed in them wonld be justified. No expense bad been spared in making tbe the works as complete bb possible Mr Richardson proposed tbe " Press" to which Messrs G. Kirton (Feilding Star) and Bailey (Pahiatua Star) responded. Mr Coombe proposed " Tbe Ladies" and Mr G. R. Jones replied. On the motion of Mr W. A. L. Bailey a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Richardson for presiding. During the evening songs were given by Messrs A. G. Catty, H. W. Giesen, Hunn (encored), Heard, G.E. Johnston, St. L. Toner (encored), G. R. Jones, G. Flyger, W. Dickson, Nossiter, Holcroft; Mr Bnckley gave a cornet solo, and Mr Brunette a clariqnette solo. All the items were well rendered and loudly applauded. Messrs S. Moore and G. Haybittle played tbe accompanimentsMessrs C. Erenstrom and Go. catered for the banquet. The gathering may be considered a great success in every way, and all those present were delighted at the result, an extremely pleasant evening having been spent by one and all. Several gas-cooking stoves were exhibited in tbe ball, and the chairman announced that wben tbe ladies of Feilding were entertained a fuller exhibition of tbe utility ot gas stoves would be giveu.