Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1917. THE GAS WORKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1712, 15 May 1917, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1917. THE GAS WORKS.

WE believe every ratepayer earnestly desires the municipal gas works to heeoine a paying eoneern. The Council,as (he ratepayers’ trustees, are also desirous that the worlA shall lie 'self-supporting. The e'x-Mayor and late Council recognised, in order to bring about this desirable slate of affairs, that increased consumption, and the manufacture of good gas were the es-

sential factors. In order to induce the former the price was reduced as low as it was possible to make it, and liberal discounts by way of eonsession were introduced. T’lie policy was a wise one, and as a result the consumption soon showed an upward tendency, so much so that the storage capacity was insufficient and a larger holder was purchased, and is. now in course of erection. The quality of the gas was of a high order, and gave every satisfaction as an illuminanl and heater. If the standard of. manufacture is maintained with the increased holding capacity being provided, there is every reason to believe that in the not distant future the works will not only be self-supporting, but re-venue-producing. On the other hand, reduce the standard or quality of the gas ami instead of an increase in consumption there will be a decrease, accompanied by outbursts of temper on the part of complainants, and finally ratepayers will have to make up (he linancial shortage through the rates. As pointed out by the ex-Mayor prior to leaving office, the prospects of the municipal gas works were, bright. The desire is to maintain that outlook. Of late, however, (he gas has not been up to the standard previously •supplied, and on Sunday night a very dim light was produced, and

consumers complain that gas rings, gas irons and cooking staves will have to bo abandoned if things do not improve. We have conferred with the Town Clerk and Gas Manager on' the subject of complaints. In fairness to the new manager, upon whose shoulders fall the harden of complaint, we may state that his qualifications and wide experience are unquestioned, and lie is making an honest endeavour to use his talents to the best advantage in the interests of ratepayers. Owing to Ihe high cost of eoal —it lias risen from 25s (id per ton to 30s per ton —and in view of the fact that the Council has not increased the price of gas, sonic economy is necessary in gas manufacture. He found that the. quality of gas manufactured locally was higher or richer than obtains elsewhere —this has been borne out by other experts—and the loss of unaccounted gas should he less. He decided to reduce the pressure, and this is where the rub comes in. As a result, the housewife blamed the liftings, and then her husband, who endeavoured to regulate same, and finally passed the hot air off on to the manager. Probably the pressure removed was too drastic, but the fact remains

that the increased cost of erml demands economy, or in the alternative an increase in (lie cost of pas. The latter would not meet with penera! approval, and the manager is now doing 1 his best to regulate matters at the works to meet the case and in the ('olllxo of a few days things will lie so adjusted as to leave no room for future complaints.