PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE GAS MAINS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 7063, 22 January 1902, Page 3

PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE GAS MAINS.

Question Discussed by the Borough Council.

The report of the Gas Committee (pubished in our issue of yesterday) evoked •oiisiderablc discussion at last night's Hooting of the Masterton Borough Council.

The proposed extension of tho gas main from Worksop-road into Colomboroad, and along Bannister-street, was objected to as it entailed a heavy expenditure, tho Engineer estimating it at £2-50, and the re-placing of tho pipes in Worksop-road at about £150. Cr Morris stated that he had opposed tho proposal in Committee. He maintained tho extension was unnecessary.

(Jr. Rollings mentioned that one reason why the extension was proposed was because the Committee was anxious to increase tho consumption of gus, aud it was felt that many house-owners would have had the gas installed had the mains been somewhat nearer their sites at the time of erection. The consumption of gas could be materially increased without incurring heavy ad ditionnl expense.

Cr Elliott expressed his opposition to the proposal, on tho ground that the extension in Bannister-street is not essential.

On the motion of Cr Morris, the report was aincndccl to read that the extension of reticulation be confined to Worksoproad. Cr Ewington objected to tho charge of .£4 10s per lamp per annum on the General Account. Cr Jackson explained that it would only mean a little alteration in the book-

keepmg. The Mayor thought differently, remarking that the Committee wanted to charge the Borough with the street lighting instead of making the consumers pay for it. The lighting benefited the whole town to a certain extent, including the consumers, and the general account should not be charged tho whole cost. Cr Hollings thought it did not affect the general account at all. There was only the one account, and it only meaufc that the gas account was credited with this amount in order to prepare a correct balance-sheet of tho gas-works. At present they could not show a correct balance as only Is per lamp per annum was charged. Cr Hessey said he was not in favour of the proposal, and moved that it be deleted from the report.

After other Councillors had spoken on the question, Cr Hcssey's motion was put and carried.