CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 166, 15 July 1874, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

*i* ii- e are deßlrou **' of affording every reasonable IrcHi t y ior the discussion oi public subjects* Dut it must be understood that we are in no way responsible ior the opinions expressed by corrcsponaents. To THK EoiTOK OK THE EVENING MAIL. Sir-— Allow me to contradict a statement made in the leading article of of your paper last night, in which you insinuate that the consumers of gas are not fairly dealt with by the present management, and recommend as soon as soon as tbe Gas-worka are taken over by the City Council the first thing they should do is to see that the con sumers are fairly treated. Now, Sir, I defy you or any one consumer to poiut out a siugle case where they have not been treated fairly. As regards Mr Brind's meter, I will try and explain to you the fac_3 of the case. The meter was fixed on the 18th of March, and on the lst of May I went to register the burning, but, on account of the meter haviug been closely boxed in, I could not do so until a small hole had been cut in the box, so that I could only see the dial when I took it. It then registered 6,000 feet. At the same time I informed Mr Brind that he must get the box altered so that I could see it properly, and to prevent any mistake being made. At the same time he complained of the amount he had to pay, and said that he could not afford to pay so much, and that he would s.e that he did not burn so much next month. When I went to take the meter again on the Ist of June, I found the box bad not been altered, so I had to take it again the best way I could, when I took it to register for tbo month of May, 3,000 feet. This amount seemed to please him very much, but he said that he had been very careful last month and had always turned the gas down when it was not required. I told him then that there might have been a mistake iu taking the meter the first time, but it would come out right at some future taking, and that he rnusi get the box altered, which he said he would, but on my going on the 2nd of July to take the meter again for the month of June the box had not been altered, so I was determined I would bave a proper register taken this time. I got the box opened up aa well as I could, and satisfied myself without a doubt that I had taken it correctly. It then registered 19,200 feet; deduct 9,000 feet already paid for, which leaves a balance of 10,200 feet amounting to £8 3s 2d, or making a total for three and a half months of £14 7s 2d, or an average of £4 2. a month. Now, Sir, you can judge for yourself if Mr Brind has been fairly treated or not. I may also inform you that I told Mr Brind that I would test the meter for him if he wished, and if ifc was found to ba working wroog I would change it and allow him for any over charge that bo had paid, but this he did uot cave tj have done, and preferred fo go crying about the town that he had been charged for that which he had not received. I totally deny that he has been charged for one foot of gas more than what he has burned. I have, &c, W. C. Mirfin. Manager Gas-works. _Juiy 14. 1874.