Correspondence.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3703, 23 August 1906, Page 3

Correspondence.

[Wo do not hold ourselva.- responsible for opinions expressed by our coirespoud nU. j THE LIGHTING QUESTION. [to the editor] Sir, —Your correspondent ‘ ‘AntiMonopoly ” has opened the gas question, and complimented the “Backbone” upon its resolving to stick to the profits (or losses) of the undertaking, by working it on its own. I trust a little more time for discussion will be allowed than was given during the discussion of the plans of the last two public buildings erected in Foxton, which have already become a butt for criticism and an acknowledged failure, in of course a degree, as. much better could bave been done with but little more expense. In the first place, will “AntiMonopoly ” or anyone else better informed upon the subject demonstrate oil papef hpw th e gasworks is to pay both the interest anu IT? necessary expenditure in a place like Foxton. Other places are not in the question. I will, as a start, conclusively prove that they cannot possibly pay 'the necessary expenditure, and that the charge on the rates of rs 3 }4d hi the £ will be a burden upon'most of us for the rest of our lives.- ■ ■ .

~ A gas plant costing £7 °°.° would involve a yearly expenditure of say £ i-000 ; it may be a little less, but it Ts generally more. Now the question is, ” Can ,£SOO worth of gas be sold in Eoxton during the twelve months ? ” The bye-products need not be counted, as they would not pay the secretary’s salary; the coke, that so much is said about, is very little used or understood here, and the coke-gas engines, if all accounts are correct we hear, is used so little that they need not be counted in the question. To get a correct estimate of the number of metres that would be consumed here during the twelve mouths wculd be impossible without a canvass being made, but something like the cash value may be arrived at. Say that the hotels, public buildings and the Borough Council lights would bring in at the highest estimate can the shops and private houses (of over six rooms) be relied upon for the balance of r I say, decidedly no ! A six-toomed house will burn a tin of kerosene costing about 4s 6d a month, being £2 14s a year (a pretty good gas bill), but a.shop may consume a tin a week, in the winter only ; so that a shpp would only count as two private houses. Now, arc there 300 private houses and shops in Foxton to be relied upon to take the gas ? That is about the number that would be required to pay the necessary expenses of carrying on the gasworks. Let “ AntiMonopoly ” take a quiet stroll around the town, and with notebook in hand, make an estimate of the houses he could rely upon ; then take 25 per cent from that, and see for himself how the case stands ; I am sure that he will come to the only conclusion possible —that it is best left alone.

Upon gas, I think I have said enough, but upon the urgent necessity of light and water for Foxton enough cannot be said ; it was only to-day that I was informed that there was, in the most important places, ‘ ‘ no water in the town,” that none could be got either from the river as it was too muddy, or from the windmill as there was no wind; and the same would apply to the raiMay cisterns. As such is indeed the case now, what would it be _ if we had a summer here, which indeed we have not had for many years. Is it not time for us to think of what can be done, and while voting for £7OOO for an unpayable gas scheme, let us pause and consider if it would not pay us better to instal an elecric light and water scheme that would cost us less than the £jooo, and one that would prove, not only a boon and a blessing to many, but would be one that, instead of increasing the rates, would in time materially help to reduce them. As I have taken up so much of your valuable space, I must, while thanking you for your indulgence, ask you 'to allow me to continue in another letter ray arguments in favour of a, complete system of electric and water supply. —I am, etc., ' ■ • “ Aquarius.” /the” foxtsn‘b AND. TpE KUITOR.] Sir, —With reference to- your leader of the'aitlV'inst. and the letter of -Ex-bandsman, I would suggest tlmt*ai,.systett>atic canvass of the residents, be, made |o£„flQuations. It would, I am sure, be met. with distinct approval. Everybody enjoys the music and I think none would refuse their mite. I

learn from a member of the band that a collection of sacred music has been procured and that during the Summer (Sunday) afternoons it will be discoursed in the Park. ■> i the bandsmen are so willing to cater for our enjoyment so should we endeavour to show our appreciation. lam, etc., Subscriber.