GOAL AND GAS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10685, 3 September 1920, Page 6

GOAL AND GAS

AIR IN GAS PIPES. COMPANY ASKED TO COMPEN- . SATE. The question of tho city's coal supples was discussed at las(b night's meeting of the City Council. Councillor W. J. Thompson suggested that something should be done to ensure adequate supplies of coal for tho city., The Government was doingeo. anfl the city should also prepare itself for emergencies. Tho Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) said that whatever steps it took the council -was subject to tho restrictions of the Coal Control Committee, which apportioned the whole of tho Dominion supplies. The finance committee > would place itself in communication with the committee on tho subject. The conditions with the Gas' Company were very serious, and the city had had to allow them a portion of its own stocks to enable them to carry on. The counted was taking steps to obtain coal from any source.Councillor L. McKenzie read to the council the following petition in regard to tho gas supply, signed by 75 sitizens: —"We, the undersigned citizens, sincerely request you, as guardians of the city, to use whatever influence, in your power _to appoint a gas surveyor on the lines suggested by the Auckland Council, to enable your citizens to obtain a better and more economical gas supply for the domestic services of the city. For Bome> months past the supply has not been a faithful one, and we contend that it is retarding not only the comfort of the homes, but the commercial progress of Wellington, especially to firms'dependent upon such power. We feel that the Act safeguards the company legally,, but the company's moral obligation for the powers contained in that Act have not been faithfully observed. We therefore pray that you will do whatever lies in your power to effect an improvement." ■•" ■ ■ The Mayor said it was imperative that the company supplied gas worth the price charged for it. The public was paying for; air as well as gas in the pipes, and had to put up with low , pressure. The people, were not getting what', they paid for. He thoughts that": the : _ company should (compensate by allowing » certain discount off the consumer's account. Councillor P. Fraser agreed with the Mayor, and • suggested that .failing the company/complying, the Government be approached. The Mayor said that the company was supplying a public necessity, and the council, as guardians of the public interests, should press -the matter. He thought the company would grant the concession, and moved "that the company do so. Couhcilloi LucWo: We are only beating the air, sir. The Mayor's motion was seconded and carried.