Panniqtuuq (Jan 31/05) - Hunters have had difficulty starting their snow machines for more than a month in Pangnirtung. And that has Mayor Jack Maniapik questioning the community's gas supply.

When the weather gets below -30C, black smoke comes pouring out of the mufflers of the machines around the community and a banging sound can be heard if the engine does start, said Maniapik.

After a time, the machines spark plugs seem unusable, he said.

"They don't even bother trying it any more because they know it will eat up spark plugs," he said.

Some people have been going through two or three spark plugs a day, leaving the community's three retailers out of stock.

Two plugs cost about $13 in the community.

A sheet posted in the hamlet office for people willing to speak out about the issue had about 10 names on it the week of Jan. 20, Maniapik said.

First Baffin complaint

This is the first gas complaint from a Baffin community, said Pat Best with Community and Government Services (CGS).

"There definitely seems to be a connection between the cold temperatures and the foul ups," he said.

Each of Nunavut's three regions receives its gas from a different supplier.

The GN is working with the territory's gas suppliers to determine if there is a problem with the Rankin Inlet-area gas.

Cars and trucks have not been noticeably affected, Maniapik said, adding that once the temperature climbs above -30C the problem goes away.

"And the gas seems to be clear, not like that old bad gas which used to be dark," said Maniapik.

Maniapik said he contacted CGS on Jan. 26.

"The community is now waiting on what they have to say," he said.