The Daily News. WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER. 23, 1903. MUNICIPAL GAS WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 203, 23 September 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER. 23, 1903. MUNICIPAL GAS WORKS.

The question of how far the people of a municipal centre should go in regaid to the municipalization of public services is a very debatable one and the experiments made in that direction are always watched with interest, It is, however, remarkable that whita it if looked upon cs a matter, of course that municipalities should control water and drainage, there is a good deal of difference of opinion regarding the extension of those powers in the matter' of lighting, tramways, and public places of amusement. There is lo doubt something to be said on both sides. The latest experiment in this directioc is at Wangaoui, where the Borough Council some time ago bought the gas works. The population of Wangacui is 7329 and a loan of £30,000 at pprcept, interest was raised for the purpose of purchasing the gas works from a local Company. Sa far the venture appears to have been a success, as not only have the works paid the interest and a further sum cf £2BO to sinking fund account, but have returned a profit of £2172 ss. Tbf price pf gap is also eqmewhat lower that it is here in New Plymouth, due principally to larger consumption. The following statement of the gas account jusii published in the Wanganui Borougn Council's balance sheet will doubtless interest our readers

figures provide a strong argument in favour of municipalisation of public services, besides wbiob, in the matter of cheapness, quality 0 f light, and general convenience to suppliers, we are given to understand that a great improvement his been effected,*

RiSOIlPTS. # 8, d. £ 8. d, Sales of Gas by Meter 7626 18 4 Sab s of Gas other than bv Meter 14 16 0 Street Lighting... 246 XT 6 11 10 ( Sale of Coke 1344 3 6 7888 Sale of Tar 380 13 8 SaleMwc'JJancous 16 4 0 GASFJTriNl} Ao . 1741 2 OOOKT— Gas Ifittings Sold (material and labour) 518 4 10 Oookeia and Firea 131 19 9 ' 650 4 t ±10,279 17 7 PAYMENTS,

Ooal, Shale, Oil, eto (inclusive of cartage, trimming, ttc.1 ... Pjuifying Materials Wages—Firemen, Yardmen and others on manr nfacture Repairs and mainfcenaneepf Plant Horses, Saddlery, Shoes and For- £. s. d. £. s S020 3 85 14 IE*!) 5 351 0 d. 2 8 1 0 age Salaries Office Expenses (including Insurance) Miscellaneous ... Transferred to Interest Account Do. to Sinking Fund Account GASFITTING ACCOUNT— Goods Bought ... Labour Balance gist March, 1903 ... 9ns 13 230 IB 8 9 55 19 3 473 2 6 13fi 18 7 ■ 209 IB 10 714 3 1 S'80 0 0 1326 10 5 3572 6 0 £10/279 IT 7