The Hastings Standard Published Daily WEDNESDAY, DEC. 29, 1897. THE PRICE OF GAS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 512, 29 December 1897, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 29, 1897. THE PRICE OF GAS.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

The residents of Hastings are longsuffering. They possess greater powers of endurance than any community of people in the colony. Why is it ? Are they deserving of the many injustices to which they are subjected ? Take the price of gas. Are the residents aware that they are paying from fifty to seventy-live per cent, too much for their lighting ? This is an age of economy. A pound saved is a pound earned. Will the townspeople believe it when we say that in other centres of the size of Hastings the price of gas is 10s per 1000 feet, whilst here it is 15s ? Does it not follow that there is an enormous and unnecessary drain upon the pockets of the people ? And where do the profits go ? Are they expended in the town ? Do they enrich the local tradespeople ? " Ah !" it will be said, " but a private company has supplied a demand, and they must receive a fair dividend on the capital invested." Granted. But what is a fair dividend ? We can name a township in New Zealand where a loan of £IO,OOO was raised for the erection of a gasworks. The ratepayers at first objected. They did not like the idea of an increased rate. But what do we find? In ten years, beside paying interest, working expenses and ether

charges, the gasworks are yielding a substantial profit every year. The works are the most valuable asset the town possesses. The population is no larger than that of Hastings, and the price of the gas is only 10s per 1000 feet. Moreover, for several years past the gas rate has not been collected. Now, if in another township this can be done, why can it not be done in Hastings? Why should we pay more for our lighting than other people ? The Borough Council no doubt made a mistake in the first instance in allowing an outside company to come in. But that is not the question now. The question is, " How can we remedy the mistake'? Surely it can be done. The Borough Council could approach the Napier Company, with a view to acquiring the works. If the price asked were too high, the Council could take the other alternative and say, " Very well, gentlemen, we will erect our own works." If a poll of the ratepayers were taken to-morrow, we venture to say that they w 7 ould approve of a loan for the purpose. Not because they like borrowing, or are in love with increased taxation. • But as a matter of business. They would look at it as a prudent business man would at his private affairs. They would say, " If we can save 5s a thousand on our gas, that will more than enable us to pay the increased rate, and the profits, instead of going out of the town, will be retained." That is what any true economist would say. In the course of a very few years the ratepayers would not have to pay a single penny in rates for gas. The works would, at 10s per thousand, pay their way and leave a profit. Then sec the enormous advantage that w T ould accrue to the town. Besides being possessed of a valuable asset, the ratepayers would find it to their interest to increase the consumption. The money at present expended in street lighting would maintain fifty per cent, more lamps. The hardship inflicted upon present consumers would be removed, and lighting would not be the expensive luxury it is at present. Will our civic fatherhood —a body of gentlemen whom we believe havß the interests of I Hastings thoroughly at heart—take the j initiative ? Will they cause inquiry to be made with a view to affording a necessary relief? If

they will be earning the gratitude of a downtrodden community, for their energy will not be without its reward.