GAS SUPPLY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 21 August 1920, Page 4

GAS SUPPLY

\T TENDING TO CONSUMERS COMPLAINTS.

CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION

At last night's meeting of the City Council a letter was received from the secretary of the No.son Hospital and Charitable Aid hoard, complaining of Cm misa.lisfactory state of ‘tW© -gas service at the Hospital. The Mayor said a great improvement had now been effected at the Hospital. ;t was res.bvrd that in future the Citv Engineer advise consumers, when c.-mnlaints we’e made, it requested to do so, as to the cause oi the gas being i m,satisfactory. Cr. Harley then moved to the effect that two competent gnslitters be ncmvii to tho staff, it heir services to be able to consumers at the same rates as plumbers. Tho motion led to a discussion as to whether the Council should “go the whole hog” in regard to gas supply, or continue the present policy of attending to matters only as far a-s the meter. Cr. Siure'l seconded Cr. .Harley’s motion, and said'what was- proposed was the custom in other places. Cr. Plum considered the resolution just curried would meet the case —the City Engineer advising when complaints were made, if requested. Tho Mayor did not think two men were necessary—the present staff would be sufficient for the purpose. Cr. M arris was opposed to any departure Horn the present custom, or the Council interfering with private business. ’The Mayor: What about a coal depot'/ Cr. Stringer; What- about the Abattoir ? Cr. Marris said be was not altogether in favour of a coal depot —anyhow, we had not coal yet. Cr. Pettit said it wa 6 only wisdom for the Council to attend to consumers’ fittings. Refusal to do so was a sentiment that should have been killed long ago. He did not. however, think two additional men were required for the work. The motion was lost by 7 to 2 (mover and seconder). Cr. Harley then moved that the City Engineer be empowered to engage such additional labour as may enable him to cope with complaints as to gas fittings, and that any work done on the house side of the meter be charged for at reasonable rates. Cr. Pettit 'seconded the motion, which was lost by 6 to o (Crs. Harley, Sorrell, and Petti). The Council then passed on to the text business.