THE PROPOSED NEW GAS WORKS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4788, 27 July 1876, Page 4

THE PROPOSED NEW GAS WORKS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —We have read Mr. George’s reply to our letter, and it is as we feared, when asked to come to the point and prove his statements, through the public Press of this city, he can- ' not do it- He declines the challenge, but will ' give the information privately to anyone but a promoter. A champion ef a monopoly with a vengeance. Out upon such an opponent, ' and give us a man that when he makes a statement will produce his evidence when called upon, or, failing that, admit his error. Wo will- waste little further time upon Mr. George and his liberal and high public-spirited Gas Company. The estimate given- to us byMr. Bower conclusively proves that a' plant ’ superior in all respects to that now owned -by ~ the Wellington Qaa Company can be pur*

chased for fifty per cent, less than the price named as the cost of theirs. Mr. George not only admits the estimate of Mr.- Bower to be ■ correct, but makes the fatal admission that so strongly would Mr. Bower be likely to feel in the success of the undertaking he would possibly take shares also. ' ' • < If the cost will be so much less, there only remains the question, Is’ the estimated sale of gascorrsct? This is a question time will prove. It is, however, gratifying to know that the bulk of the present consumers have agreed to take the gas at the reduced rates, and it may even be possible for Mr. George'to comprehend that, with' one-half to three-fourths of his present customers gone, and the increased demand the reduced price will create, the new company will be rble to get rid of over fifteen million feet during the year. We are confident; that every statement in the draft .prosoectus will be found absolutely correct ; "indeed, so, strongly do some of our number feel upon, the subject that they are prepared to give any necessary guarantee that the works will be carried out for the prices named, and the result stated achieved. We must beg Mr. George’s pardon for not publishing our names, but it was really too great a stretch of politeness to ask you, sir, to fill your columns with between 100 and 200 names, hence our neglect; but Mr. George will be gratified if he examines the records in possession of the Registrar of Joint ■Stock Companies during the ensuing month, when he will be able to accurately estimate the “value" of our statements against those of such a practical and experienced man as himself. We cannot close this letter without a reference to the insinuation respecting the late foreman of the Wellington Gas Company, and as the man himself is lying on a sick bed and cannot well answer the attack, it is but just that we, who know the facts, should not be silent at this time. If there is one man in Wellington more than another to whom Mr. John Rees George should be ever grateful, it is to the late foreman of the Wellington Gas Company, who, coming ;to this colony with a reputation for steadiness and ability acquired by long years of experience in the erection of gas works in Great Britain and on the continent of Europe, found that the manager, who was supposed to be able to assist him in the erection of the plant in this city, absolutely knew nothing whatever of the work he was entrusted with. And yet notwithstanding this, and that all Mr. George knows on the subject of gas manufacture has been acquired through the daily contact with this man, he steps out of his way to attack him in a public newspaper. We cannot find words sufficient to characterise such a proceeding —more especially as the question of who is to fill any post in the new company’s service has never even been mooted. In conclusion, we would simply ask the public to attend the meeting on Thursday night, when an opportunity will he given of asking and replying to questions in a more complete manner than through the columns of a newspaper. We invite Mr, George to attend the meeting, and to bring allpossible details with him. It will be a satisfaction to all parties, and we promise him a fair field and no favor. — We are, &c., The Promoters Empire Gas Consumers’ Comeant. Wellington, July 26. TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, I don’t know what connection the “astute secretary of the Titanic Company” has with Mr. George and his dispute with the promoters of the new gas company. I am not aware that my occupation is “ gone,” and that in consequence I am seeking a post as secretary to the new company. Let me disabuse Mr. George’s mind. I have not sought such a post, nor do I intend to seek it; my profession is that of an accountant, and I have no doubt that “ the courtesy and kindly feeling” which Mr. George appears to admit bas been wanting in the management of the Wellington Gas Company, will enable me to command a fair share of public business in the future, as it has done in the past. I can, however, excuse Mr. George. He is doubtless measuring me by his own, bushel; for if rumor is to be believed, he has some doubts as to whether it would not be better to make a change. There is a Harbor Board to be constituted; there is to be an engineer and manager at a large salary,; and it is not a bad move to canvass all those likely to be members of the said Board, with a view to their pledging themselves to a particular individual. However, let that be as it may he, the gas question will never be helped by personalities ; and if Mr. George bas a good case, let him discuss it manfully with the new company on its merits, without attacking particular individuals, for he may find it is possible to get two knocks for one at that game.—l am, &c., T. Kennedy Macdonald. Wellington, July 26. .