11/09/2025
Sharing more local history
TEMUKA GAS COMPANY
In August 1902, several prominent citizens formed a committee to obtain a coal gas service for Temuka. They proposed approaching the Timaru Gas Company, seeking their thoughts on establishing a branch in Temuka.
It was not until September 1905, when a committee comprising the Mayor, Mr. T. Buxton, Councilors Henry, Frew, McInnes, and Jeffries plus the Council Solicitor, met with a Mr. T. Butcher representing a company willing to provide a gas facility in the town.
As there would be much expense involved, the company had a number of terms and conditions to be approved by the council, before a contract could be signed. These included the cost of providing street lighting and a term of years for its provision; they would also require surety on supply from business houses and residences.
After negotiations were completed, a contract was signed and work was to begin as soon as possible. The engineer for the works, a Mr. C. E. Shaw, arrived in Temuka in February 1906 and work immediately began on its construction, at the same time the necessary laying of the pipelines to carry the gas to many parts of the town was taking place. At this stage over fifty men were engaged in the project.
The works were sited on Domain Avenue, now occupied by Ecans workshop and fronted onto Gunnion Road which ran from Domain Avenue alongside the railway line to the east end of Fraser Street. This road was closed in the 1980’s.
Gas was turned on in the Main Street of the town on the 5th of October 1906. Street lamps were placed at intervals from Fraser Street to Ewan Road, which then formed the borough boundary. The Rolleston Memorial on the corner of King Street and Waitohi Road carried three lamps and lit up this corner brilliantly (2500 candlepower). Many public buildings, businesses and residents were heated and illuminated by gas, gas heating, especially for cooking was superior to any other, fast and constant.
Eventually as times moved on, electricity became the norm in all properties and gas companies in towns and cities were forced to close their works. Temuka closing 22nd of March 1952. The gasometer was a landmark during its time, measuring 37ft 6” in diameter and rising to a height of 24ft when full, it commanded a visual presence. The manager’s house and showroom (displaying all types of gas appliances) was also erected in 1906, this stands at the east end of Fraser Street and backed onto the works. This house is still occupied today.
33 street lamps were lit at a cost of ₤3 6s 7p per lamp P.A. Mr. C. E. Shaw was the first manager of the Gas Works, followed by D. Moore, M. H. Hamilton, then from 1922 until closure, George Pierce. Part of one gas lamp standard still remains on the corner of Ewen Road and King Street.
