CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2860, 19 March 1925, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

————* (To fhc Editor). Sir, —Kindly allow me space in which to discuss the position in regard to the. gas works during the the past three years. It seems to me that the Council has acted in a manner unwarranted up to the present. Three years ago it new setting of six retorts was installed, which had I lie effect of reducing the year’s credit by about £3OO, which as a result, that year did not show a profit. The following two years have shown a credit of something like £2OO per annum. There is at present something like £I,OOO to the credit of the gas works, which, after providing for about £7OO or £BOO for interest and sinking fund, leaves the balance as profit on the year’s working, yet, because last month showed a loss, some Councillors seem to have become panicstricken. It must also be understood that as the audit is now being carried out, such accounts as coal, etc., that would otherwise have stood over, have all been put in because of this. In the first place the works were built, not as a working proposition, but as a speculation, and it is only now that.they are really up-to-date. Yet, because under the circumstances, above some Councillors have a notion that, it is the end of the gas works. We shall wait and see. As to the question of reducing the price of gas, it seems to me that some are going to get a benefit at the expense of others, because those who would find more consolotion in turning the works into a brewery have omitted to make provision for those who have slot meters installed. Why did the Council omit to give them a pro rata discount to balance the reduction in price that is being made to those who have the ordinary meters installed 1 ? In their wisdom ("?) they say that we shall sell cheaper gas to the monthly meters, while the cash on the spot meter user can go on paying his “bob” per hundred feet. No wonder a change is required on the Council! A Councillor’s duty is to see that any enterprise carried on by the Council is to be encouraged, but when we hear them suggesting a brewery it shows which way their minds run. Their’s not to ridicule, but to get down to hard facts and help the enterprise along, not to scare the ratepayers into thinking that the gas works are done for. because (hey happen to strike exceptional circumstances. —Thanking you, sir, E. G. MARTIN.