GAS TROUBLES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 132, 5 June 1915, Page 3

GAS TROUBLES

.TO THB EDITOR. Sir,— As one of those who suffered by Thursday night's experience, I would like to make one or two suggestions. No doubt the cause of the trouble will be investigated. My own impression is that the mains were subjected to an extra pressure of gas, and that the caps over the water inlet to meters were forced from their position through not being screwed sufficiently tight, but, whatever is the reason, we do not want another close call of this nature, and we must look to the Gas Company for better .protection against the forcing of meter seals and caps. I would suggest , that the Gas Company have stated clearly in the Telephone Directory the number of telephone to call in the event of complaints after 9.30 p.m. If you refer to the telephone list you will find against No. 155 the remarks "complaints up to 9.30 p.m.," but nothing about complaints after that hour. Further, I would suggest that the Ga-s Company have printed . notices placed near all meters informing users that the turning i of the turnkey on the main inlet will j cut off the supply to meter. This may not seem necessary, but on Thursday I found, ojit my ignorance about meters, and now" know what it is to fumble I round an' escaping gas meter in the dark in a vain endeavour to find tha turn-off, and then to learn afterwards that the key is a foot or two away from the meter. I would also say that Ido not think that it should take nearly two hours for the Gas Company to send a repairer to a residence within a short distance of their main office after being informed that a meter had blown out, and that a house was full of gas. As I am voicing a personal complaint, I would like to say that I was treated most courteously by a Gas Company official, and presume that the management were at fault in not being properly prepared for an emergency. — I am, etc., "X." 30th April, 1915. [When the complaints of the correspondent were referred to the secretary of the Gas Company — they were, of course, held over till the conclusion of tho official enquiry — for explanation, it was learned that the company can be rung up from four numbers from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., viz., Nos. 4010, 4011, 4012, and 4013. Tliis will bo set out in the new telephone list when it is published by the Government. AH these numbers are worked through the company's own exchange to the various departments. Those who have need to do so will also be able to get into touch with any one of six officials after 5 p.m., including three fitters who are on direct wires. The company does not think it necessary to adopt the correspondent's suggestion that printed notices should be placed near all meters informing users that the turning off of the turnkey on the main inlet will cut off the supply to the meter, because most prudent people naturally do so at night, or when leaving the house for any length of time. The delay complained of by ths correspondent, it was pointed j out,' was easily accounted for by the exceptional circumstance? on tho uigjxt .reLittnMrLftaJ .1