“FAIRY GODMOTHER"

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 102, 3 May 1938, Page 8

“FAIRY GODMOTHER"

CITY GAS DEPARTMENT ASSISTANCE TO RATES “During some of my previous meetings.” said Mr G. H. Trott, the Citizens’ League candidate for the Mayoralty, when addressing the electors at Keith Street, last night, “I have stressed some of the problems with which the City Council is faced, but I would not like the electors to take the view that I am pessimistic of the city’s future.” The difficulties had been referred to merely to show the necessity for careful and efficient administration of the city’s business, he said. It would be some years before they could look to the “Fairy Godmother” of the council for assistance. He referred to the Gas Department, which, in the past, had contributed largu sums for the relief of rates. Councillor Halligan had stated that during his term of four years as chairman of that department no less a sum than £20.000 had been paid into the general fund. As usually happens in the life of all manufacturing industries, much of the plant had needed renewing. Tt was unfortunate that renewals should have to be carried out when costs were higher, but the speaker was assured that when these were completed the plant at the gasworks would be in first-class order and should give many years of service with ordinary maintenance. “When I became the chairman of the Gas Department three years ago,” the sneaker continued, “I had hope* of being able to meet a loan which becomes due in 1942.” This was part of the London loan raised in 1932, of which the department’s share was £59,250. At the due date about £21,000 will have accrued by way of sinking fund, leaving a balance of approximately £38,000 to be met or renewed. This hope, however, was not likely to be realised because in addition to the repairs to plant, it was decided this year to build a small gas-holder at Castlecliii to serve that district and the adjacent part of Gonville. “When completed tins will obviate the necessity for boosting by pressure, the gas to these suburbs which, in itself, will represent a saving in costs to the department besides giving a better service to the consumers,” Mr Trott explained.