MUNICIPAL GASWORKS

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14169, 18 September 1906, Page 5

MUNICIPAL GASWORKS

PROPOSED EMPOWERING BILL. NOT SANCTIONED BY THE CITY COUNCIL. At a meeting of the City Council last evening, Councillor Hadfisld moved—- “ That th.o Council take the necessary steps to promote a local Bill to give it authority to erect gasworks or to acquire, under the Public Works Act, the Christchurch Gas Company’s works and business.” He said that it was not necessary for him to say much, as the Council was aware of the negotiations that had been carried on. He moved the motion not because bo believed that the price asked by the company was excessive, but he thought that every municipality should have the right to erect its gasworks, and the City Council should be able to acquire the present works if it desired to do so. Ho did not express an opinion one way or the other. The city might be congratulated on having one of the most enterprising gas companies south of the Lino. At the same time, the Council should have the power ho indicated. Councillor Manhire seconded-the motion. Councillor Payling opposed it, saying that it was unnecessary. The proposed Bill would he useless. The streets were occupied by the present company to the extent of about 120 miles of mains. Would the Council bo ready to put down another 130 miles of mains? The streets were being continually team up owing to the methods of dealing with those things. It would cost the Council £300,000 or £300,000 to bo, in a position to compete with the company. Would those who were now using the company’s mains disconnect? Certainly not. The ratepayers would be the losers and would have to- bear the Ices. As he had said previously, he was an advocate of tho electric light. By extending that method of lighting, the Council would be doing a great deal more for the citizens than by entering into the business of supplying gas. If gasworks were built- in Christchurch, where the streets were full of m-iins, it would be an unwise •action. Melbourne was supplying gas at ss, not- 4s, as stated by Councillor Cooper, and Sydney charged 4s 6d, but only 8s Gd par ton was paid for coal there. In the circumstances, the Christchurch Gas Company charged a fairly low price for gas now. He had nothing to do with what it had done in the past. Councillor Gapes agreed with Councillor Payling, and said that he saw no reason why the Council should be so ready to take up gas when it was supplying electricity. In the present circumstances, it was better for the Council to extend its electric light plant. The new proposal would be no advantage to anybody. It would be only giving Parliament unnecessary trouble. Councillor Allison said that he would oppose the motion, practically on the same grounds as those upon which Councillor Payling based his arguments. He thought that the electric plant was the best lever with which the price of gas should be reduced. It had to be born© in mind that a municipality often could not do what a private company did. The gasworks in Dunedin had riot been successful. " He would vote against the motion. ■ In reply, Councillor Hadfield said that Councillor Payling was under a misapprehension. He seemed to be trying to erect skittles to; knock them down. Tho motion was not to establish gasworks, but to get permission to take certain action. There was no suggestion of competition in the motion. Councillor Payling: Why do you want the Bill? Councillor Hadfield; Because the Council should have the power. I am not speaking against the Christchurch -Gas Company. - There is not a company in the colony that has been better managed, and I do not think that the Council could improve on its management; but the Council should have the power I claim for it. He added that the actual purchase of the gas works was a question quite apart from his motion-. Ho believed that the company was entitled to full value for its undertaking. . He was not- one of those who believed in confiscation. ’• , The motion was lost by five votes to seven. *