THE GAS QUESTION.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2763, 26 December 1871, Page 2

THE GAS QUESTION.

To the Editor. Sm, —The gas movement has been on the tapis over two years. Kvcryonc lias recognised its importance, and the principle of the Corporation having control of the gas supply has on many occasions been immistakeably tablished. ’.Recently an agreement to take gas from the Corporation or a new company, for a term of three years, has been signed by 360 persons, thus proving not only the desire

which exists, but also the profitable results from complying with the prayer of the memorial signed by 700 consumers, and laid before the Council some four months since. What object could therefore be more legitimate or profitable for the Corporation to undertake than its own gas supply? Yet the slow deliberations of the Council have as yet insured no satisfactory progress in this direction. We arc now treated as a bait to forego the substantial advantages within our grasp for a quasi reduction from the old gas works peonlc, made under pressure, but which really amounts to nothing, as it is hampered with impossible conditions, for nearly the whole of the gas consumers have already contracted to take their gas otherwise for three years, but had this not been the ease, no sane man would compel himself to burn gas from the old works as hitherto supplied for a term on any conditions. Then I would ask why should any reduction of price be accompanied by despotic regulations which the poorest amongst us may not be able to make available. It is clearly not this sort of thing that is wanted ; we require the Corporation to build new works, and apply the profits to reducing the rates, which will enable gas to be more widely diffused and adopted as generally here as in other cities. Yours, &c., A Ratepayer in High Ward.