MUNICIPAL GASWORKS

Manawatu Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 4705, 30 September 1936, Page 2

MUNICIPAL GASWORKS

“NO AUTHORITY to close DOMIN’’ SAYS MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS. ' The following letter received from the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, by a local resident, has been handed to us for publication:— “I find that the law relating to the siipplv of gas hv municipal authorities is contained in the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933, which Act provides that a-Couneil may establish gas works and do all things necessary for the supply of gas to the inhabitants of the Borough. Power is contained therein for a Borough Council to acquire gas works from a private company, hut I am unaware of any authority whereby gas works owned by a Council could he sold to any private company or individual. Further, there appears to he no authority in the above Act for a Council to close down a gas works, or to discontinue the supply of gas to the consumers.

“From the information available in mv Department with regard to the loan raised by the Council for the purchase of the Gas Works plant, it would appear that the total liability of the Council in this respect should have been completely liquidated as at 31st March, 1936, and the special rate made as security for the loan will no longer require to be levied. “In view of the above, the apprehensions of the consumers as to the future supply of gas appear to he unfounded, and you may be assured that in the event of any proposal to dispose of the gas works coming before me, I will arrange for a thorough investigation of the position to he undertaken.”