THE GAS QUESTION AT CHIUSTCHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9129, 10 August 1888, Page 5

THE GAS QUESTION AT CHIUSTCHURCH.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Chkistchukch, Thursday. Ckrtatn shareholders in the Gas Company, who are also ratepayers, have entered a protest against the legality of the proceedings of the City Council in regard to the pas question, based on clause 3(>9 of the Municipal Corporations Act, which provides that where gasworks are at any time established for the supply of gas in any borough, under authority of an Act of the General Assembly, it shall not be lawful for the Council to establish any other gasworks to supply the same locality, except under authority of a special Act. In reply to this protest, it is pointed out that the Council intend to apply for a special Act at the next session of Parliament, as it is now too late to pass one this present session, and that they are not yet establishing gasworks, but merely obtaining the authority of the ratepayers to raise a loan to enable them to do so. Another objection, which it is said has been taken to the Council's action, is that the meeting of burgesses to consider the proposal was not called by the Mayor, and was, therefore, illegal, as section 179 of the Municipal Corporations Act provides that "the Mayor shall call a meeting of burgesses in order to consider proposals for loans." The City Council appointed Councillors Hulbert and Prudhoe to act on behalf of the Mayor during his absence in Melbourne, ami under the authority thus given the public meeting was called.