WANGANUI BOROUGH COUNCIL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19007, 7 May 1924, Page 5

WANGANUI BOROUGH COUNCIL

The Wanganui Borough Council met last evening. Present—The Mayor (Mr Hope Gibbons), Crs. Halligan, Green, Sharpe, Reardon, Spriggens Arnold, Gohns, Pearce, Cuthbertson, Rogers Beadle. Burnett, Poynter, Brown. Carlyle, Richardson, Luxford. The following report was adopted:— GAS COMMITTEE. The committee recognises the desirability of carrying out the works recommended by the engineer, but it is of opinion that they should be deferred for at least twelve months, in order that the effect of the Power Board’s operations with electric light and power on the demandl for gas may be further demonstrated; also that in view of the loans, recently authorised for other public works yet to be expended, the interest on which will have a bearing <n the amount of rates to be borne by the community, it is deemed advisable to await the result of the Council’s policy to observe rigid economy during this financial year. Further, the effect of the rating over the whole area, as the result of the union of Gonville and Castlecliff with the borough, has not yet been ascertained. The committee, however, recommend (1) That the department should extend the sale of gas for cooking and heating purposes wherever possible, and that ample provision be made from the revenue for the purchase of cookers and appliances, such to be sold on.the time paymenS system. (2) That a very limited expenditure should be made out of revenue for extensions to plant and mains, etc., only in urgent cases, and after full inquiry by the committee. (3) That the price of gas be reduced to the following:— 1000 ft. and under per month, net charge 7s. 3000 ft. and under per month, net charge 6s 9d. 10,000 ft. and under per month, net charge 6s 6d. 20,000 ft. and under per month, net charge 6s. Over 20,000 ft., net charge 5s 9d. That a minimum monthly consumption be charged to customers provided with a 5 or 3-light meter, 300 feet; 10-lighe meter, 500 feet; over 10-light meter, 1000 feet. (4) In the meantime the engineer be authorised to obtain the necessary particulars of the plant mentioned in his report, and the capita! cost of the same installed. (5) That the engineer be asked to go into the matter of making suitable arrangements for giving public cooking demonstrations with gas applances, in order to further the sale of gas.