BAD GAS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 480, 14 September 1909, Page 3

BAD GAS.

Unless the local gas proprietary take immediate steps to purify the gas at present being supplied to consumers, the latter will be compelled to go back to kerosene or acetylene. The stench from the burning lights is something abominable.

On Saturday night shopkeepers were making very pronounced remarks about the evil-smelling and feeble light. We are also informed that the fumes are tarnishing electro-plate-ware in shops and private houses. At the various churches on Sunday night, the congregations had a very trying time, and some left the buildings rather than put up with the nuisance. The service had to be cut short in the Presbyterian Church, as the Rev. Mr Aitken found it impossible to continue. A prayer meeting had to be abandoned in the Methodist Church, while in the Anglican Church a haze hung over the congregation, and it was almost impossible for those in the body of the church to read the hymns. The sulphur fumes were almost unbearable, and handkerchiefs and coughing were much in evidence. The street lighting also has been very bad. Numerous complaiuts have been made to the manager, who, we understand, is doing his best to mprove matters.