WELLINGTON GAS COMPANY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3182, 25 April 1871, Page 2

WELLINGTON GAS COMPANY.

The directors of the above company celebrated the introduction of gas into this city by a dinner held last night at the Now Zealander Hotel, the manager, the contractor, the inspectors, and the principal workmen being present. Mr C. J. Pharazyn occupied the chair, Mr Krull the vico-chair. After a most excellent dinner, reflecting great credit on Mine Host (Mr M'lntosh), the chairman proposed the usual formal toaets, and in proposing the toast of the ovening, " Success to the Wellington Gas Company," he had the happiness of remarking that the works had been carried on and completed in five months, without any misunderstandings between the directors and those immediately engaged in their construction. In fact it had been a happy illustration of the beneficial effects oi the union of capital and labor. They (the directors) after due enquiry had risked their capital ; but what they had done had only been rendered effective by the willing hands and hearts of those he saw around him. Much of the success of a a gas company unquestionably depended on construction of their works on a sound and economical principle ; and he was sure WolHngton had now gas works unequalled in the colony, both for cheapness and practical efficiency. He would ask them to drink this toast— the last he would give them — with all the honors. The toast having been enthusiastically drunk, Mr Pearce craved the favor of another. The Chairman explained that he was only too happy to accede, and that though he had stated he had proposed his last toast for the ovening he had no wish to interfere with others indulging in these " frivolities." Mr Pearce then remarked that while he cordially agreed in the Chairman's remarks, as to the union of capital and labor, lie thought there was something still more required, and that was brains. Fortunately for the directors they had had the able assistance of Mr George as their manager -who had furnished the brains, and who united in himself faculties rarely found together, great powers in organisation, and a determined spirit of economy. The director who had initiated the company had had but hazy notions of what a gas work really was, but it was Mr George who had brought their crude ideas to the consummation thoy were that night met to celebrate. After a few further laudatory remarks he proposed the health of the manager, Mr George. Mr George briefly And gracofully replied : — ln turn he craved a toast and proposed the toast of " the luspectors who, ho said had done their duty so well that if he was over called to have the management in the constsuction of any similar works he would eßteem himself fortunate in securing their services. After their reply The Vice Chairman proposed the health of contractor Mr Brswn, who replied at some longtb. Mr E. T. Gillon next craved a toast, namely, the health of the directors. In his remarks he stated that nothing for the good of the general community of Wellington have over been car» ried out with so little fuss or with so much success as the introduction of gas into the city. It had long been a reproach to Wellington that her streets were at night plunged into darkness, while Christchurch, Auckland and Dunediu had their streets lighted up. He con gratulated the directors on their " brilliant" succes, and thought they deserved well of the public for having introduced a great public improvement. The Chairman, in the name of the directors, replied. Mr Burn, in a few well-chosen words, then proposed " The Press. Mr Hay, as the editor oi the oldoat journal in Wellington, aesumod he was called on to rep'y. Ho promised a few humorous remarks, setting forth the analogy between the interest he had the honor to ropresent and that which was the occasion of their meeting together. Both were now Wellington institutions, and both had the same object in view — the " enlightenment" of the cily. Tho Press of Wellington had been lately noted for the same thing which distinguished the Wellington Gas Works — " retorts" — and the product of both had been often and perhaps justly characterised by one and the same little word " gas." As a private citizen who had lately oast in his lot, with them, he could only express his high satisfaction at the successful inauguration of such a great civic mv provement. He believed thnt during the last twolve months the activity, enterprise, and civic reforms of Wellington had done more to ndd to its position and reputation throughout the colony than mimy other more pretentious and ambitious efforts at reform. Such an improvement as thnt, the inauguration of which they were met that night to cplebaate, would do much to remove tho reproach of the want of public spirit and enterprise which had been so freely cast upon Wellington. He conceived it a happy omen that he had been first asked to reply to the toast of the Press in Wellington on such an auspicious occasion, and he could assure them that the Press would always be ready to sup port any movement which had the interest of tho public in view, and which was characterised by the same prudence, and ability as the Wellington Gas Company had exhibited. Several songs were sung during tho course of tho evening, and tho greatest harmony and sociality prevailed. It was indeed a hnppy union of capital and labor. Both met as natural allies, and tho representatives of eacli seemed drawn closer to each othor by sharing together in the festivities of tho evening. Wo understand that the dinner was somewhat hastily got up and tho absencoof several gentlemen iB thereby explninod. Certainly Mr M'lntosh's avrangenients wero excellent, and one would have inferred from them that he roceived anything but a short, notice.