THE GAS QUESTION.

Waipukurau Press, Issue 314, 29 September 1908, Page 5

THE GAS QUESTION.

(to the editor).

Sir, —I must congratulate Mr Cooke on his letter in Saturday’s issue of your valuable paper.' I think all will believe his statements that he does not hold a brief for the Gas Company, but his letter suggests that, if he does not hold a brief for the Town Board, he gives a sympathetic ear to the biggest local body muddle we have ever had. The company has failed to keep its appointment and yet the Board seemed unable to realise that they were not making a private contract, but were acting as stewards for the ratepayers, and should have terminated the contract twelve months ago, without considering the local shareholders. With Mr Cooke, I do not believe Waipukurau is large enough . for a coal gas plant, but would it. not be possible to utilize the present mains for the water supply and let gas go in the meantime ? The season so far suggests that we are in for another dry summer, and those who had the experience of carting water last year will wish with me- that our Board had displayed the same enthusiasm and a little more ability over a water supply as they have over the gas. If the gas-mains are suitable for the water supply, the Board would be prepared to pay the company for them, and they would not then be much out of pocket considering they have had .such a good advertisement here. Mr Cooke seems to think that because we have spent £5O in meters we should wait indefinitely for the gas, but I am of opinion that if we get clear of the company for this small sum we shall not be losing much. If the agreement with the company secures the ratepayers’ interests as stated by Mr Cooke, I hope the Board will understand that they are elected to represent the ratepayers’ interests and not the shareholders. Hoping for the best, —I am, etc., Thirsty. (to the editor.) Sir, —I would like to describe the different uses of the coal gas and the Twentieth Century gas. When we pay for the coal gas we just pay for gas and nothing’ else, but in the case of the Twentieth Century gas, we pay for air and gas at the same time. Now I will describe the dilfefenl products of each of the two substances from which they are made. In the case of coal we get gas, coke, tar, oil out of the tar, and disinfectives also out of the tar. We cannot produce anything from the petrol, .only gas. Of these two gases, coal gas is the cheapest. I would advise the ratepayers to vote for the coal gas: In putting this gas in you would only'need a different plant. Why didn’t the Town Board go in for coal gas instead 'of the Twentieth Century gas ? —I am, etc., Inferior. September 25th, 1908.