The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1888. THE GAS TROUBLE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2974, 11 August 1888, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1888. THE GAS TROUBLE.

The ratepayers of Masterton have recently been talking over the gas trouble, and a general opinion is expressed that a better quality of this illuminator should he supplied by the corporation at a less price. It is, we believe, admitted that thero has been within the past few days some slight improvement in the quality of tho local jets which is attributed to tl)3 Manager having had recourse to tho use of superior coal from the Brunner Company, in place of an inferior article formerly Bupplied at a less cost. This, however, does not remove the difficulty of the ratepayers, because they want a better quality gas at a less price, and there is the rub. The .consumers grumble when they get a bad light and o big gas bill; but outside the consumers there are other malcontents, the unfortunate ratepayers who do not use gas, but who have to pay a rate to cover tho annual deficiency of the Corporation gas enterprise. There is a prospect, or at least a possibility of this deficiency being an increasing annual liability, and there are not wanting burgesses who are willing to curse the gasometer and all who own and use it, with bell, book and caudle. Virtually the unhappy burgess though he reads by kerosene, and goes to bed by candlelight, is a shareholder iii the Corporation gas works, a shareholder who has not only no immediateprospect of a dividend, but who is obliged •for some years to como to pay calls, and who cannot rid himself of his liability. " It is to the interest of every consumer to have good gas, and it is to the interest of every ratepayer to' increase the consumption in ordor to make it pay. It is unfortunate that some of our hotels and Bhops, and the bulk of the private.houses in the town refuse to use gas, and this consideration is cited to show that some mismanagement, must necessarily have beon attached to the manufacture of the article at the Borough works. Tho question is raised whether the Borough Council, or the Committee of tho Borough Council which manages the gas business of the town, administer their trust wisely, and the popular verdict 13 against the Cominitteo. There is an opinion that the Council should appoint a new Gas Committee to place things on a better footing than they are at present. It is, however, recognised that it may be difficult to find other members of the Council who have confidence in their own capacity to do better than their present colleagues are doing, and if this be the case the work of reform presents serious difficulties. There is some talk in the" town of calling a public meeting on the question, and if such meeting'bo called; woiliope some

the subjeoty wUI - be. prepared >ith ■; definite"reoommeridationß. ; is far leasier ib oritioise a management than to improve it; and no suggestion we have v heard of yet .leads us: to the lOonolusion, that a better light can be produced in the town at a less cost. The present is a : period of depression when even admittedly well-managed business enterprises are unremunerative, and our' gas venture is handicapped: by this disability; A further and more serious element of loss is the fact that it has' cost almost twice 'as muoh money as it ought to have done, it iB on : too- big a scale,- and till the town grows larger- the charges for interest; on anVabnorniaL capital;.will be disasti'bus. ; they will bo bold men, who will, under existing conditions,' undertake 'to;- give us better light at a reduced:CosL'-.-If any-of .them,- can bliow us how the. thing.cafcbe done, there iwiltbeio difficulty in making them Borough Councillors and putting ; thenr;in ; oharge:<Of the 1 gas works. There are .councillors who .would gladly;make;room forahyinenwho can jliow; that'::■they? can;effect 'a : marked change' in producing a better and cheaper- gas in this town.:. The \ public; will b> only : to6.delighted to ' get really;sensible,; practical ideas.in this direction , who are agitating for ga& reform : h'ave underrated .the difficulties !o'f. ttiejask', . and that we shall have to grin and bear the gas rate for some time.longer 1 ■ and' to .wait .till,botfctimos, fojuny considerable expahsiqn of.'^he;jpoal ■ consumption.;:.//' ",'■•"' '■■■ -■•;■■ ;.