STEADY GROWTH

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1934, Page 8

STEADY GROWTH

HISTORY OF GAS COMPANY.

mr. b. J. McCarthy’s outline

The history and. development of the Hawera Gas Company from humble beginnings in 1806 to the present day, when the volume of business was 20 times as great as at the start were related by Mr. B. J. McCarthy, chairman of ■directors, when speaking at the opening ceremony of the company's new buildings in Regent Street on Monday night. In 1882, according to tradition, the first attempt to install gas at Hawera was made, said Mr. McCarthy. The project failed, chiefly owing to the difference of opinion among the citizens about the merits of gas and electricity. Subsequently the borough council passed a resolution authorising the establishment of gas, but no further action was taken. The founders of the company were well-known men of their day and men to whom the borough owed a great deal in its development. The original directorate comprised Messrs. R. H. Nolan, A. Trimble, H. W. Sutton, H. G. Pitcher, W. G. White, E. Cullinan and.H. Caplin. Messrs. White and Cullinan were present and Mr. Caplin, the only other remaining, was prevented by illness from attending. The first meeting was held on October 26. 1896, and Mr. Nolan was elected chairman and Mr. Pitcher secretary. Mr. Nolan (later Sir Robert) was a most enthusiastic and energetic chairman, and Mr. H. Atkinson, senr., was appointed first engineer. He had been responsible for the erection of the works. Through Mr. James Cowan, the Hawera representative of Messrs. Lovell and Christmas, the necessary finance was raised and the plant was imported from England. Mr. Atkinson was appointed manager and in 1897 legislation was passed. Consent was still required from the borough council, and when that was given the provisos were interesting. They were that the borough should have the right of purchase after 12 years, that the gas should not be sold at more than 12s 6d a thousand cubic feet and that profits should not be more than 10 per cent. < On September 4, 1897, gas was turned on for the first time and another milestone in the history of the borough was passed. There were 50 original subscribers who were granted free gas on the opening. The council had placed an order for 25 street lights and the company had gone from success to success. ANGLICAN BAZAAR. .MANAIA CHURCH BENEFITS. There was a good attendance at the Church of England annual bazaar in the Manaia town hall yesterday. Stalls for various products were arrayed around the hall and decorated with greenery and coloured streamers. Declaring the bazaar open, the Rev. H. Whitby James, vicar of Hawera, spoke of the loyal manner in which the people of Manaia co-operated and upheld their duties towards their parish. He also referred to the enthusiastic work of tire Rev. C. W. Solomon and Mrs. Solomon, who are shortly to leave Manaia for Wanganui. The clergy and the parish would be sorry to lose such a popular and efficient minister. Brisk business was done by the various stall-holders. The committee, which spared no efforts to make the bazaar a success, were well rewarded. Credit is due to the efficient secretary, Mrs. Solomon. The stalls and those in charge were: Produce, Mesdames V. H. Hobday, A. Gam’in, Barleyman, J. T. Clague and J. Stevei.son; sewing, Mesdames C. W. Solomon, E. A. Mitchell, W. T. Wells, J. A. Hansen and E. Price; toys and plants, Mrs. Cassidy, Misses Cassidy, D. Lowe and B. Laursen; sweets and ice cream, Mrs. C. W. Abbott, Mrs. M. Row, Misses E. Harrison and B. Hobday; tea rooms, Mesdames N. Davis, B. Sutherland, B. Bloor, L. A. Walters, Huckstep, F. White and Miss White; hoop-la, Miss M. Hansen; dips, Mrs. A. Symes. A wireless set loaned by Mi-. G. White junr. provided popular music. Competitions were held throughout the afternoon. A musical programme was submitted at night and the winners of the competitions received their prizes. PORT OF PATEA. November 27:—Arrived: Motor vessels, Inaha, Hawera and Kapuni. November 28: High water, 3.32 a.m. and 4.3 p.m. "AS HUSBANDS GO." WARNER BAXTER TRIUMPH. Warner Baxter, most popular male actor of the screen, scores further triumphs in “As Hpsbands Go,” to be shown at the Opera House to-night. Written by Rachel Crothers, the film sparkles with witty dialogue of high standard. Supporting Baxter are Helen Vinson and Warner Oland. The picture is described -as a romance for women that men will like. It deals with the wife who is undecided whether or not she .should give up a devoted husband for what' at the moment appears to be a glambrox s new romance.