GAS AT WANGANUI EAST.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12348, 19 October 1909, Page 7

GAS AT WANGANUI EAST.

INAUGURATING THE SERVICE

FORMAL CEREMONY ON SATUR-

DAY LAST

Saturday afternoon last was the occasion on which the official '-'Turning on of the Gas," in. the Borough of Wanganui East, took place at the residence of Mrs. A. D. Willis.

There were present: Mr. John Jones, Mayor 01 Wanganui TJast. £«i.d the Lady Mayoress, also Councillors McCaul, O'Leary, Neilson, Burton, and Allen, members of the Wanganui East Borough Council, and Councill lors Burgess and Williams of the Wanganui Borough Council, also Mr. Stone, Manager of the Gas Works.

Apologies were received from Crs. Spriggens and Poynter of the Wanganui Council and Crs. Christie, Holloway and Willis of the Wanganui East Council.

Mr. Jones asked Mrs. A. D. Willis to light the gas, and in so doing expressed his pleasure in seeing the gas, at last, lighting up the Borough of Wanganui East. He was especially pleased that the official lighting took place in the house of Mrs. A. D. Willis as a mark of respect to the'late Mr. A. D. Willis, who had taken such a keen interest in the Borough affairs. He wished to express his thanks to the Chairman or the Gas Committee, Mr, Burgess, and do Mr. Stone, Manager of the Gas Works, for the kindness and courtesy they have always shown during the time the gas arrangements were in progress, and only hoped that this function was the forerunner of many more to mark the improvements of the Borough of Wanganui East.

Mr. Burgess (Chairman of the Wanganui Borough Council's Gas Committee) who apologised for the absence of the Mayor of Wanganui, Mr. Mackay, who was away from town, wished to thank the Wanganui East Borough Council and Mrs. A. D. Willis for their invitation to attend the "lighting" function. He also wished to thank Mr. Jones for his remarks, and stated they were also due to Mr. Muir, who had done so much as late Chairman of the Gas Committee. The price arranged was II- per 1000 feet net, and he thought the Borough of Wanganui East had made a good business arrangement. He quoted the following prices of gas in the different boroughs throughout New Zealand to bear out his remarks:—Wanganui East 7/-, Wanganui 5/-, Auckland 5/-, Christchurch 5/9,, Wellington 5/6, Dunedin 5/10, Feilding 10/6, Invercarg-J 6/8, Masteuton 7/11, New Plymouth 7/6, Nelson 6/8, Oamaru 7/11, Timaru 6/8, Palmerston North 8/- up to 10,000 feet and </2 over. In most instances the price of coal was from 5/- to 7/ton cheaper than the prices paid in Wanganui. He wished the Borough of Wanganui East every success, and hoped it would still continue to adv^nec. At the same time expressing the hope they would ultimately amalgamate with the Wanganui Borough.

Mr McCaul, Chairman of the Wanganui East Gas Committee, said it gave him great pleasure to be present, and, not being in favour of small boroughs, he hoped that this link betv<reen the Boroughs would lead to amalgamation. Although the Council had made a good arrangement he hoped to see the price to consumers reduced in the near future. He appreciated the efforts of the late Mr. A. D. Willis, and in honouring Mrs. Willis they were at the same time paying a tribute to his memory.

Mr. Stone, Manager or the Gas Works, thought the price charged was reasonable. He pointed out that the Borough was a long way from the Gas Works, and the Borough being so scattered made it very expensive to lay down the mains, there being over 200 tons of cast iron pipes used. The mains were laid in an up-to-date manner, and were interchangeable to the high pressure system if such a system was ever adopted. He stated that the mains were large, and would meet the Borough's requirements for many years, and although not expecting a profit on the first year's working, he would like to remind those interested that the more who take the gas would tend to cheapen the price.

Crs. Williams, Neilson, O'Leary, Burton and Allen also spoke.

Mr. Bert Willis, in the absence of Cr. Willis, briefly thanked those present for their kind remarks, and hoped the gas would prove the great success they anticipated.

Mr. O'Leary then moved a hearty ote of thanks to Messrs McCaul, Christie and Jones, members of the Gas Committee of Wanganui East.

Mr. Burgess thanked Mrs. Willis on behalf of those present for their kindness in providing refreshments, and this terminated a very pleasant afternoon.

Cr. Burton at the Gas function: "It takes gold to get gold and plenty of gas to get gas."

Cr. McCaul: "I like the price charged at Nelson and Timaru, viz. 6/8, and no doubt if there were more lawyers on the Council they might have got gas at that price.

"Amalgamation with the Wanganui Borough, and the building of another bridge" were the sentiments echoed by nearly every councillor.