GAS COMPANIES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5290, 9 March 1878, Page 3

GAS COMPANIES.

’ TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir—ln England the rights of monopolies to exiend the monopoly by reason of capital is now a question in social economics, and although some may term its prohibition by Parliament confiscation,’the general verdict is, “so be it.” The present Chairman of the Wellington Gas Company is a self-deluded monopolist. . Unless companies, formed ; for public objects treat the, public liberally, so soon as the monopoly granted them—not for their own interests but public: interests —becomes oppressive and deems high dividends preferable to wider utility, the public natilraily seeks to demolish the monopoly by competition, or abolish it by purchase. On a future, occasion legitimate modes of restricting the powers of the Wellington Gas Company will, I. hope, be pointed out, with the view of bringing it to a sense ,of its duty,, not with a view: to abolish the monopoly by purchase, as Municipal Corporations are not ripe for the conduct of Gas Works in New Zealand. The new gas-, holder—“ a veritable monster ”—as large as Messrs. Nathan and Oo.’s warehouse, is to be erected iu a neighbourhood, increasing rapidly iii population. In cities no two gasholders should bo allowed in one .locality., Storage of gas is a public danger, and should be minimised by am, &c., Grey Street..