PETONE AND LOWER HUTT GAS SUPPLY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 118, 14 November 1929, Page 8

PETONE AND LOWER HUTT GAS SUPPLY

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—As you are doubtless aware, we gas consumers at Petone and Lower Hutt nave for a long time suffered great inconvenience with our gas supplies, and tor some days' last -week we were practically without gas. On making complaints to the authorities, we are told that the position' is unavoidable, and that while they have been waiting for their cheap gas scheme they have allowed their plant to get into such a state of dilapidation that they-are quite helpless in regard to giving us a better supply of gas. Last week when we saw that Parliament had dropped the Bill which was to give authority to purchase gas from this new ,carbonising company, we naturally expected that the board would take immediate steps to provide us with ,a proper supply of gas, and it was with great astonishment that I read in to-day's paper of the Petone and Lower Hutt Gas Board meeting, held yesterday, that instead of going ahead they propose to dilly-dally with this company promoting scheme and spend good money on what are merely palliative measures.

I cannot understand the action of the

Gas Board. Many municipal concerns throughout New Zealand have their owngas works, giving an excellent supply o£ gas very much cheaper than we can get it at Petone and Lower. Hutt, and are able annually to contribute substantially to assist the rates. What is the matter with our Gas Board? Are they scared to tackle the job of supplying adequate plant themselves, or are they simply trying to get something for nothing at the expense and inconvenience of the gas consumers? First of all, there was a scheme to purchase gas in bulk from the Wellington Gas Company. I would not in any way suggest. that we ratepayers in this district should support a proposal of this nature, nor do I see why we should be penalised year after year waiting for what appears to be a company promoting concern, which is evidently the view that Parliament has taken of the matter. If the board is really frightened of the job, it should not be a difficult matter to form a local company to take over the duties, and, using the ordinary, well-tried processes which are in usa throughout the world, give not only a satisfactory gas supply, but also keep in the district the very handsome profits that would be made. I would like only hah 5 a chance to subscribe to such a scheme myself. What have other ratepayers got to say on the'ma W ter? —I am, etc.,

DISGUSTED GAS CONSUMER.