Foxton.

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 64, 17 March 1936, Page 2

Foxton.

From Our Own Correspondent. Serious Position at Gasworks. The serious state of Foxton’s municipal gasworks'.was the subject of an important discussion at trie monthly meeting of tue Foxton .borough Council. A report from tho gasworks manager, Mr A. G. Thomson, stated tuat tile carbonising plant at the works Was in an unsatisfactory state. The manager pointed out that the retort bed was in a bad way wnen he took over the works about two and a hail years ago, but with carelui attention’and pa toning it had been possible to carry on. Tue condition of the bed had now got to that stage, however, when something must be done to relieve the risk of failure. The position had become serious and could not be neglected much longer. He suggested that Lie old bed of tour retorts arm the bed of two retorts be dismantled and a new bed of six retorts be built in their place at an approximate cost of £559. If this were done and the present bed repaired at a cost ot about £2O, the retort house would then :be in good condition and snould require no additional expense for six or eight years. Another matter that he sala required attention was that of increasing tne pressure of gas in the mains. Fur this he suggested the Installation of a “booster” at an estimated cost of £126. He also considered that some system of easy payment should be made available to consumers to induce them Lo instal and use up-to-date appliances. New retorts would increase the make of gas by at least 20 per cent. ' and more pressure would allow for the catering of supply for modern appliances. 'The Mayor said that the Horowlienua Electric Bower Board was making an eai - nest bid lor consumers in fuxiuii. Tne consumption of gas was decreasing and not increasing and tho works were gradually getting worse instead ot better despite the excellent work carried out by the manager. The. matter was discussed at length, during wnich the senousuess of the position was stressed. Several councillors questioned the advisability of increasing tne indebtedness of me gasworks unutr- ( taking, and it was suggested that tne council saould endeavour to dispose Oi the works. In reply to a question by Councillor F. Rouinsou, the manager stated that the works would be thrown completely out of action in tlie event of the retorts collapsing. finally it was decided not lo take any action in the matter of repairs in me meantime and to hope that the retorts would hold ou; a whue longer. tJorcugn Abacs. Those present at tne montnly meeting of the Foxton Borough louiki were the Mayor (Mr Al. E. Rer.-iuu), Councillors J. Ross, W. H. Read, F. It- blasoo, T. Chaney, J. U. Middleton, D. K. Barron and the town clerk (Mr W. Trueman). Apologies lor absence were received lrom Councillors .. L. Christie and W. Rye. Tlie treasurer icpu.'.ei Bait during the month of February the sum of J'll'oO Vs Id was received anu mid been banked a., follows: District lund account. £lO6l 2s Id; cemetery account, £45 6s. Of the latter sum £lO h id been, placed on ffxeu deposit. The ledger balancei at i'emuaiy 20 wero as lollow: In debit, gasworks, £lst)3 ’is rOd; general, £361 11s 2d; hospital board, £9l 11s id; library, £42 las 2d; unemployment relief, £Ol 11s; a total of £2013 19s Od. In credit, rate arrears, £3:3 13s lod; cemetery, £l3u as; heavy traffic, £123 l'Js Od; interest, £IOOS 0s 4d, reserves, £276 12s 8d; town hall, £47 I3s lod; workers’ dwelling, £44 3s;' waterworks, £593 3s; making a total oi £3lOl Is 2d. General. A letter was received from the Horowhenua Rugby Union requesting tlie use of Easton Bant as a playing area during the 1936 Rugby season ior ten per cent, •of the gate takings. The clerk said mat last year's percentage amounted to £2 Vs 6d. Councillor F. Robinson said the Horowhenua Rugby Union had had the use of the ground for some years. Floods had interfered with travel, however, and the standard of football had been affected as a result. A meeting of all interested in football was to be held to discuss a proposal of holding local football this season and in view of the strong feeling in this direction he thought the matter should be held over in order to give the ground to the local players on the same terms in the event of them wanting it. Councillor-Barron considered the council should'stipulate a price for the park. He thought £2 '7s'a ridiculous figure for the season’s, rent of the ground. Councillor Robinson considered that local football would produce increased gate revenue. After discussion it was decided that the tlorowhenua Rugby Union be advised that if it is tho express desire of the local footballers not to play in Union games this year the park will not he available to the union for the coining season, but otherwise the park will be made available to' thb union at a rental of £lO for tlie season for union matches. A complaint about the growth of noxious weeds in tho borough was issued by Councillor Barron who said that ragwort was to ’be found flowering profusely in Avenue and Norbiton roads, whilo he was unable to grow'apple trees on his section owing to fire blight. It was time the council took, .action to have an. inspector appointed, as'tho borough was getting into a shocking state in this respect. The Mayor said the council could not take any- action that would mean an expense to the ratepayers. It was decided that the lease of section 410 for a term of seven years be sold by auction and that provision be made in the terms of the lease for a parking area for the Foxton Racing Club. Tho Mayor said that ho had received the sum of £lO from the proceeds of the last Art Union for tho relief of distress locally. Inter-club Tennis.

In an inter-club match between Foxton and Otaki, local players were successful in emerging winners by 12 sets to 4 sets, or 120 games to 87 games. Bowling.

In a further game for the Haydock pins, the holders, Howe and Thomas, successfully defended the trophies against Edwards and Trueman, the final scores being 24 —16. The next cnallenge is by Scadden and Popple. Mr H. Haydock, the donor of the pins, spent a month’s vacation in Foxton with his •brother, Mr R. Haydock. and returned to Australia last week. During his stay Mr Haydock spent many pleasant hours on the local green, and his company was popular and congenial to local club members.