CORRESPONDENCE. THE MYSTERIOUS GAS EXPLOSION.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 306, 10 September 1908, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE MYSTERIOUS GAS EXPLOSION.

TO THE EDITOR. Siß—l think it can be truly said that the spirits of the townspeople fell considerably below zero when it became known that the gasworks had “blown up,” and in the smouldering ruins thereof our bright hopes and prospects are at present buried. May-be our Nemesis will now be satisfied, seeing he has dogged our steps over this enterprise unceasingly since its inception. Only just lately the writer had the privilege of discoursing to a friend on the prospects, benefits, and beauties of our fair town, in which the lighting played an important part, with the result that he decided to invest capital in property, etc.; but now . But what I want to say is, that the ratepayers demand a searching inquiry into the “mysterious affair ” —why the machinery was being worked during the absence of the engineer, was the cause of the explosion the work of novices, defective machinery, or a dangerous element in the gas itself? The inquiry should be conducted by disinterested experts, and be above board, and these queries answered to the entire satisfaction of the public, for believe me. Sir, the confidence of the residents is so utterly shaken, and so many ugly rumours are about, that nothing but such an inquiry -will lead the townspeople to give up the good old kerosene lamp for the 20th Century Gas.—l am, etc., Ratepayer.