GAS CHARGES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 October 1913, Page 3

GAS CHARGES.

(To the Editor). Sir, -in comparing Martou and Levin, towns of similar size in some respects, it must not be forgo.! ten thai in gas matters Marton is a, vej-y much older town than Levin. it has sixty street lamps, double the number of consumers, and double iho output of gas all very important factors indeed in determining the price of gas. To make a fair comparison, Marton's prices should be studied when its gas undertaking was the same age as Levin's is now. But taking the towns to-day, the charges here, on the whole, are not. higher than in Marlon. In fact, J think the advantage, if any, is in favour of our own town; that is presuming Mr Thompson's figures in yesterday's letter are correct. Take the net prices foi heat and power From_ 100 to 1400 foot, Marion Ts (id, Levin Gs 8d: from 1000 to 10,1)00 feet, Marlon (is Sd, Levin (is 8d : ovev 10,000 to 15,00 feel, Marlon (is ?id, Levin (is :}rf: over [-3,000 (o 20,000 feel. Martou 0s lOd, Levin os 10d; over ;2(),000 feet, Marion on sd, Levin ; ">s lOd. So that under this head for the smaller users, Levin is the cheaper, and for the few linns who use over the 20,000 feet, although the Levin rate is a Hi tie higher, the firms in question have the privilege of getting their lighting gas at the engine rate. Now as to lighting; for consumers who use 900 feet per month the net Marlon rate is (he same as Levin, bul if 1000 feet or over is used, the Marlon rate is Ks -Id, as against 0s 2d in Levin. But, sir, we have a combined lighting and heating rate in Levin (of which fate already about 70 consumers take advantage) the price being 7s (id per 1000 feet net. A person in Marton burning 1000 feel per month, of which, say, -100 feet was for lighting and (iOO foot was for cooking, the bill would be Ss 2d, or if the consumer used 2000 feo! of which 700 feet was for lighting and L'iOO feet for heat or cooking, "the amount charged would be Ids 2d. In Levin a consumer will) a gas cooker under the combined rate for lighting and- cooking would pay in such instances as the above, viz., for 1000 h'.vi and 2000 feet, sums of 7s (id and 10s respectively. ''"Apart from Marton , s prices being lower," says Mr Thompton. How are they lower? "They are much more equitable,*'' he adds. In what way? Ido not think Mr Thompson has, as yet, "placed the matter beyond ' doubt."Yours, etc.. B. R.*GAi:i)EXEK. Levin, October 20, lOl'l.