ONSLOW GAS PROPOSALS. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 49, 28 February 1911, Page 2

ONSLOW GAS PROPOSALS. TO THE EDITOR.

_ Sir,— ln reply to Mr. Ferguson regarding the above proposals, I repeat my former statement: I do not object to the introduction of gas into Khandallah and Ngaio district. What I do object to are the terms, and not the gaa. His statement that I voted against the gchome on the score that I could not agree to the Gas Company protecting itself from being called upon to erect a large number of lamps in the dying years of the concession is misleading Councillor Ferguson's graceful compliment, though faulty judgment regarding my youth and business experience (which to enlighten him I might mention extends over a period of twenty-three years), is as far out as his statement regarding my true objections to some of the Gas Company's one-sided proposals. How Councillor Ferguson can make such art absurd statement —that if we throw out the gas proposals in eighteen months, when our present contract for lighting runs out, we will be at the mercy of fcho Wellington City Council Electric Light Department, who will them be in a position to dictate any terms they thmk tit— is in itself beyond reason. Surely Mr. Ferguson in his wisdom must admit it is preferable to be at the mercy, as he oalls it, of such a publio body as our esteemed City Council than a private concern. Why should the householders nearest the mains reticulated by the company (instead of tho council) only be supplied? If it is childish on my part, as Councillor Ferguson states, to argue that because tho Gas Company refuses to supply evory house in a scattered district such as ours, it is certainly most selfish on his part, being on the main road, and hot making any provision for those who are not likely to get the gas. His own statement horo is a contradiction also of his accusation concerning my alleged objection to tho introduction of gas into Khandallah and