GAS SHORTAGES LIKELY IN GREYMOUTH THIS WINTER

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1947, Page 2

GAS SHORTAGES LIKELY IN GREYMOUTH THIS WINTER

A proposal that the Greymouth Borough Council instal a new bank of retorts at the Greymouth Municipal Gasworks, even if such an installation did not prove an economic proposition, was made at the meeting of the council on Thursday evening, by Cr F. F. Boustridge, who stated that inadequate supplies of gas were turning new consumers away, and were forcing old consumers to look for alternative sources of heating. He stressed that he had every confidence in the gas manager’s (Mr A. J. Fairmaid) report that such an installation would not be an economic venture, but he considered that it was the duty of the council to build up the confidence of consumers that they would obtain a good supply of gas. Cr A. L. McKay: "I think that we should be 'guided by the engineer. His reports to the council have explained the whole position.”

Cr H. Hutchinson: “As I understand it, what we require is a new retort, but that would go hand in hand with new reticulation. It is largely a question of when such a scheme could be placed in operation.”

The borough engineer outlined the difficulties in obtaining cast .iron pipes and retorts. He was of the opinion that it would be al least two years before such a plan as suggested by Cr Boustridge could be placed in working order in Greymouth. It would be absolutely impossible to increase the supply of gas for the coming winter. Cr J. B. Kent: “The cost of gas would be increased, and would mean a fabulous price to the ♦consumers. No one is going to subsidise the cost of gas.” The Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham), stated that he was concerned at the fact that the gasworks was losing customers, but considered that there was a distinct possibility of further information about the proposed new plant for Greymouth coming to hand within the next two months. On his suggestion the discussion was adjourned until the next meeting of the council. CONTRIBUTION FOR HEALTH INSPECTOR A letter from the Department of Health in reference to the council’s offer to contribute £175 per annum towards the salary of the Health Inspector for the district, stated the inspector was serving a much larger district than the average, and the contribution offered by the council would be at scaled down rate of 7.7 d per head, and not lOd per head as paid by the majority of other boroughs. 'The letter pointed out that in the past the department had provided services for local authorities on a most unfavourable and unfair basis, and requested that the council reconsider its offer. “I think we should increase the payment,” said Cr Kent. “After all, we do get value from the inspector's services, and as it is, we have no reason why the rates should not be increased.”—lt was resolved the amount offered be increased to £2OO a year. WAR MEMORIAL. “This council is committed to support a scheme for a war memorial embracing the whole of Greymouth, including Cobden,” said Cr Boustridge when an application by the Cobden Ratepayers’ Association for assistance in purchasing a block of land in Cobden to be formed into a children’s playground as a war memorial was discussed. He added that there was already a section in Bright St. set aside as a children’s playground, and, while in support of providing playing areas, he considered it was a matter of which ground should receive assistance from the council. Cr J. E. Stokes was of the opinion that if the ground was purchased Cobden residents would be prepared to assist in forming the playing area.

On the motion of the Mayor it was resolved that the full council inspect the area. The District Employment Officer (Mr J. C. Corbishley) advised that the Director of Employment had approved extension of the No. 13 Scheme in respect to the employment of six men for 13 weeks on the subsidy basis of 100 per cent, wages cost.

The Greymouth Sketch Club applied for permission to rent the room above the library one evening a fortnight, and for a week or ten days in June for its annual show. —Granted. The matter of charges was referred to the Town Clerk and Cr McKay to draw up a schedule.

West Coast Hockey Association applied for use of two grounds at the Recreation Ground in the current season, stating that it was intended to foster women’s hockey this year. —Referred to Reserves Committee with power to act. Blaketown-Preston Road Ratepayers’ Society advised that at its annual meeting it had resolved to ask the council to treat the Tainui Street scheme as a separate scheme from any other loan proposal.—Received and noted.