GAS WORKS AND OTHER MATTERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 29 October 1925, Page 9

GAS WORKS AND OTHER MATTERS

To The Eil it or

Sir, — Your issue of Saturday contained a report for the half-year and also some rambling remarks made at city Council meting. ft- is quite evident ,bat the Mayor does not. intend to stand tor anoher term of office, otherwise he would pay more attention to the City Council I am still convinced that committees should he appointed for each department, and the particular ' otincillors made responsible for good governing of same. 1 am also still far from convinced that the Gas Department, does not warrant a separate official. In fact, the figures put forward ate. to say the least, astonishing. But 1 notiee that Councillors and the Mayor I ave not wakened to the fact, and if ‘he bill survives the committee stage ■'omething might be done. Your figures, Mr Editor, which appears in the paper, • n re not quite correct, possibly a- printer's error, of the July and .August sales, but they are near enough to say that 20 per cent of the gas registered as being made at the gasworks is unaccounted for. That meter, also, might be going fast or slow; but better. 1 should say, for the Mayor to say this '. his fellow is going fast. as all he and other Councillors seem to come in contact, with are the go slows. To take your figures. Mr Editor, which will be low instead of high, it means that 6,075,300 cubic feet of gas is unaccounted for in the half-year’s working, equal to 470 tons of coal (possibly more coal than they have in stock in the Gasworks at present (and a proposal for a strike in the wind), and also equal to .62025. charging same at 8d per 100 cubic feet-, and this amount is without adding surcharge or even meter rent nto consideration. To double, the above rgures and‘make it out for the twelve months, which should be near enough for a business conducted on such lines it means a loss of £4050. A much better proposition for the powers that be to employ someone to tell them where (he missing millions are, than to increase the price of coke, and one Councillor says some industries are even willing to give 4s a sack for it. I should atlyjse the city fathers to have that contract veil stamped. Aboil?- a month ago T ; sked the City Council to bring Nelson .•nto line with other towns in New Zealand, and general practice throughout the world, to reduce the price of gas for power purposes, but was informed, offer going through the committee 'stage, that the Council had no intention of reducing the price of gas, as itwas already being sold at a loss. The milch cow gone dry at last ! But now 1 (ind that the Mayor says if you deduct the price of residuals if would be sold at a loss. But if the Mayor was to say deduct- the, initial cost of the coal and the wages account at the gasworks, it might then show a profit, for the one is nearly as sensible as the other, as far as the gasworks balance-sheet is con•erned . I also notice Mr Editor, that \ou report the Council having resolved to buy property on the opposite side of •in* street from the Council Chambers tor a workshop and showroom at approx'mately £3OOO, rather an expensive workshop in the front, street of the city, and for the purpose of. trying to sell now gas that is already being sold at a joss. 1 should say, Mr Mayor, you would he well advised if you spent that ■mi m in gathering up the unaccounted .or gas. If new pipes have to be laid, get to work straight away—£4oso a jear will pay a lot of interest, and we can leave you to look after the sinking fund part of it. Now, just- a word on the Waiinea street- sewerage question-. 1 notice it is proposed to put in a few more what are called ventilators. VVliat they really are are sewers leading the water on to 11i 0 top of the ground, no matter who it may inconvenience afterwards. -An antiquated system of sewerage disposal. Ibis, to go to the expense of- running it i ndei ground until you get into the rnismess area and then bring it- out on to the top. Some scheme. 1 should say. Why don't the Council take the hull uv tin* horns and lay down a larger sewer irom Gould's corner to the tip. We hear so much about the tide doing the damage, but- I may say that in this in-' stance, as well as many others, I have * oticed. the tide was nearly out to the gasworks wharf when the sewer burst. In conclusion, Mr Editor, I should I list like to ask the Mayor how many ‘hundred tons of coal is paid for by the Council that is never delivered to the gasworks. Nelson being the last port of call, 1 understand we only get> the sweepings up from Australian ships. '1 hanking you for valuable space, Mr Editor J. am, etc., JAS. W'YLLIE.