DUNEDIN GAS LIGHT AND COKE

Otago Witness, Issue 553, 5 July 1862, Page 4

DUNEDIN GAS LIGHT AND COKE

COMPANY. A Meetino of shareholders and other gentlemen interested in promoting a supply of gas to the City, was held at tlieCompany's offices on Thursday afternoon at two o'clock John Cargill, Esn., took the Ohair. In addition to the chairman and officers of the Company, tiiere were present— Messrs. E B Cargill, J Hyde Harris. W. H . Reynolds, John Switeer, L. Burke, J. Paterson, and H. .Reynolds, several questions having been put to Mr. S. Hutchison, the Engineer, the following is the gist of a lengthened explanation of that gentlemans estimate and calculations. The proposed total cost of construction to enable the Company to commence its supply will be £14,523 15s 5d on a capital of L 15,000 in 3000 shares oFLS each. Ueternng to an impression, which seemed to have been created abroad, that thh amount would be found niiulequaie tor the contemplated purpose Mr. Hutchison had great pleasure in availing himself of the opportunity afforded by the meeting," of offering: the most positive evidence in support of his estimate. For the satisfaction of those who were already interested m the Company, or who desired to bee, me subscribers to it, he he.d submitted his plans and specifications for those portions of the works, which would have to be submitted to public competition im .Dunedin to two eminent local architects; and, also, to a contractor, now extensively engaged in local contracts, whose written testimony he had the pleasure to produce. Ihe result was that his estimate of the cost of buildings, and other local labor conuected with the works was entirely confirmed, and he was in a position to add that they would be found capable of execution, even under the lowest price he had named. With reference to the items for mains, he explained that it was proved to be amply sufficient from the tact that the order for pipes already despatched to Melbourne had been undertaken tor a price within his estimate, and other machinery to the amount of L 1,4/6 was within his control, although he was not pecuniarily interested in it, aud could be obtained within the margin of his allowance for it. In reply to Mr. Harris it was stated, that it was quite possible to have equally' suitable plaut manufactured in Melbourne, according to plan and specification, but that the cost would be brtween 50 and 70 per cent, in advance of that under offer. Every other item in the estimate had been thoroughly considered and ested and after mature consideration lie (Mr. Hutchison) was of opinion that the proposod capital amply sufficient for the works he had signed. Mr. Hutchison theu submitted various reports and documents in testimony of professional services, aud the ability with which he had carried out largo and important Gas -Works, both in Great Britaiu and Victoria. Mr. H. Reynolds, a large shareholder, and recently an auditor in the Melbourne Gas Company, stated thathe had just returned from Melbourne, and, while there, had been informed that the works of that company had been left by Mr. Hutchison in a, highly efficient state.

Plans of the proposed works, and also of a site for them, were inspected, and, after some discussion, it was considered desirable that application should be made to the Government for a lease of a piece of laud, situate immediately near the Pelichet Bay Jetty, which the Engineer described as being well suited for the purpose.

Tho Secretary was recommended to urge the Company's solicitors to complete the preparation of the Draft Deed of Incorporation, so that it might he settled on an early day ; also, to comuinnicate with those members of the Provisional Comini'.tee who had not yet actively assisted in forwarding the objects of the company.

It was reported that 700 shares had been subscribed since the last meeting of the Provisional Directors j and that applications continued to be made.

The members present were unanimous in expressing their intention to aid the- completion of the Share List ; and it was decided that a meeting of the Provisional Committee should be called as soon as the Deed of Incorporation was prepared and ready .ftfr approval.