THE PROPOSED NEW GAS WORKS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4787, 26 July 1876, Page 2

THE PROPOSED NEW GAS WORKS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —It is to be regretted that the “ Promoters ” of the Empire Gas Company, in replying to my letter, did not publish their names, so that those interested in the question might have had the opportunity of judging the value of their statements as against mine. I did not offer to “ discuss through the public press the whole question of gas manufacture ” —it is too large a “ question.” And I decline the challenge to publish item for item how the expenditure for plant has been made up ; but to anyone interested (except a promoter) I shall be happy to give the information. The public will judge whether the directors of the Wellington Gas Company are men likely to be “ careless of its interests.” Mr. Geo. Bower, I have no doubt, would be quite prepared to supply the plant at the estimate quoted, and would also perhaps be prepared to take part of the cost out in shares, as he offered to do in a previous instance. The price quoted for iron pipes, and the statements as to the offer to supply land and buildings and erect the works for £3OOO, and that the mains, syphons, valves, meters, &0., can be supplied for £SOO less than the estimate, are easily-made assertions, the value of which the proprietors will soon be aware of should the promoters succeed in their object. If the promoters propose to lay only four miles of mains they may succeed in doing so for the sum estimated. The Wellington Company has about ten miles already laid. I did not say that when the Wellington Gas Works were started in 1870 the plant was capable of producing 15,000,000 feet; they were then estimated to produce 6,000,000. I quoted the cost to end of 1875, at which time the works were capable of producing the firstnamed amount. The consumption this year may probably exceed 15,000,000 feet. “ The new and economical principle on which the works are to be carried out" will, no doubt, be some new discovery of the promoters, perhaps one of them has a patent to make pipes out of Taranaki iron sand. Nothing in the letter from the promoters alters the case I think proved : the estimate of cost is much too low, the estimated sale of gas much too high, and the estimated “ profits” a myth. As I said before, the balance-sheet will be satisfactory on paper only. I am much obliged to the promoters for their offer to supply me with coal at 355. per ton. When the Wellington Gas Company calls for tenders for coal next time, they will probably have an opportunity of repeating their offer ; in the meantime I think I can buy as cheaply as they can, and it costs more. It must be very satisfactory for the citizens of Wellington to know that the Empire Company will not have a “ fancy manager;” that the foreman (was he not lately discharged by the Wellington Company ?) “ will be able to erect the works and lay services, and put a decent statement before the shareholders ; that the secretary will keep the books himself, and exercise courtesy and kindly feeling,” (as may be expected from the astute secretary of the Titanic Steel Company, who finds his occupation gone) ; “ and that the objects of the promoters are to break up a monopoly and give the city the blessing of cheap light,” and not, on the contrary side, to supply billets for their friends, and extra work for the Wellington plumbers.—l am, &c., J. E. George. TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —I would suggest to both Mr. George and the promoters of the new gas works that they should meet each other face to face at a public meeting, say on Thursday night, when I note the promoters invite all and sundry to be present. If Mr. George has a good case I am quite sure the meeting will go with him ; and as I don’t think his forte is newspaper writing, it might be the best course for him to adopt. There is no doubt that a great deal of sympathy will be felt for both Mr George and the Wellington Gas Company should an opposition company start, for I am sure they have done everything in their power to be kind and obliging to everybody, and they have never looked for high dividends.—l am, &c., 1 Fishtail. Wellington July 25.