OUR LETTER BOX.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 184, 8 August 1904, Page 2

OUR LETTER BOX.

THE PRICE OF GAS. (To the Editor.) Sir,—lwonuer- how much longer the people of New Plymouth intend to allow the New Plymouth Gas Company to fleece them by their exorbitant charge for gas. Surely we are a long-suncring people, and prefer to go at half-cock rather than grumble. One would think that after more than a quarter of a century of existence a liberal directorship would have had some little compassion 'or the pockets of tlieir clients. Hut 111 thia tliuy ore very much mistaken, as tho word reduction is not in their vocabulary. Their whole and sole uiim has been to give you as little as possible for your money, and thoy have succeeded very well. Tho price of gas 'both 'in Napier and Wanganui is just about one-half we payhere, also everything else pertaining to a gas company in th<~«bpT"- of residue, such tar. Coal :an bo landed in "New Plymouth, I believe', quite ae cheaply as in Napier, and about 2s (id per ton cheaper than Wanganui. The company are now trying to arrange the sale of their plant, etc., to the borough, and true to their instincts you may be iure the price won't be cheap. The borough will have their hands full enough to see the electric light is properly installed, which will give New Plymouth sutllcknt for its requirements for years to come, and 1 expect a good deal cheaper. Therefore the ratepayers will do well if they have nothing to do with the (.'as Company, but let t.ieiii work out their own salvation as best they may. Kindly reprint enclosed cutting taken from an Australian pupor dated July 2nd, IHO4, and oblige.— 1 am, etc., A RATEPAYER. P.S.—I notice that the Gownmcnt take credit for reducing thjjftjrice of coal 5s per ton. As yet .it is not reflected in the price of coal or gas here. Tho electric light on tho new Eliza-beth-street pier has now had a fair trial, and hoe proved so thoroughly satisfactory as to justify the action of the Marine Hoard in deciding at, the last minute to substitute electricity for gas as the illuminont.