THE GAS QUESTION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 137, 12 June 1895, Page 2

THE GAS QUESTION.

TO THK EDITOK OF THK 'El'KNtXfl MAIL.' Sir— On reading the report of the proceedings of tho City Council in Saturday's issue I was surprised that the matter of gas bad not been fully discussed on its merits. So muoh diversity of opinion exists on the subject that the public had a right to expect a thorough examination before the Council came to a final decisicn. 1 have no predilection for Collingwood coal more than any other, being in no way interested, nor do I doubt the accuracy of the figures furnished by tho oilic rs of tho Council, but it certainly would have been far moro satisfactory to the public had the matter been fairly discussed and the whole of tho details laid before tbem. The result may have been— probably would have been— the same, but there would then bave been no reasonable ground for doubt as to the best plan to adopt, which now certainly exists in the minds of somo peop'e. From the evidence put forward it appears that thc use of shale is very expensive for the questionable advantage of one candle power extra, when 2_ pcr cent must bu used to obtain that result at a cost of say £4 pcr ton. This alone would increase the cost of using West Coast coal by £10 per 100 tons, which, on 2000 tons— the amount I believo lo bo our annual consumption—would bo £200. About seven years ago, when Cr Akerston induced the Council to use mixed coal, it was agreed to use 10 of Collingwood to 7 of the West Coast. Now as the cost of Collingwood coal is Is less pu- ton than the West Coast coal, it follows that if all West Coast coal is used the prime cost of the coal will be increased by some £ 50 or more ppr annum. Those and many othu- things should be taken into consideration. Sir, did it not appear to you a strange proceeding to have to search the columns of the Mail for information? One would have thought tbe records of tbe Council the proper place for reliable information on the subjeot, I think, Sir, the thanks of the ratepayers are due to Councillors Everett and Akersten for the stand they took in the matter by endeavouring to get tbe subject fairly disoussid. All men are liable to error, and a small error in the base of any calculations is disastrous to the result. Of what use were the numerous figures submitted to tbe Council by its officers- obtained after the expenditure of much labour and valuable time— if no discussion were permitttd? ,Sir, if this state of things is to obtain we had better at once act on the suggestion of a former correspondent and appoint a " Commander-in-Chief," thereby relieving the Councillors of ali responsibility and trouble, when their only duty will be to cheerfully acquiesce in any suggestion which may flow from his fertile brain, and occasionally be complimented by that worthy in a manner becoming his superior intelligence and dignity similar to that so condescendingly bestowed on Cr Piper by the Mayor— "Right you are. You have more senso than I gave you credit for."— l am, &c,

F. W. Flowbhdav.

To inn Editor or tiie " Evening Mail.', Sin. — I notice from ,your report of tlie discussion of the gas question that through the use of Westport coal a Mini of nearly £700 a year can be saved. It seems to me that if thii is so, it will only be fair and reasonable to expect that gas will be supplied to consumers at a reduced rate, especially as seeing that we have to be satisfied with an inferior article. It. is quite right that the works should be conducted on sound commercial lines, but it is hardly fair that the Council should make a large profit out off thc gasworks unless they apply this balance to lhe reduction of thc mortgage now held on our gasworks. It would be •i wise step to institute a Sinkin" Fund so as to clear lhe works from debt. In these days of progressive invention it will not bo long bofore all difficulties in connection with electric lighting are surmounted, and seeing (hat we have facilities for producing this light here in Melson ib were wisdom indeed to be prepared for any possible change that may take place in our f>y»tom of illumination. It is no use saying lhat the change will not take place, for directly it can be shown that electric lighting is cheaper than gas, so soon Mill consumers have it.— l am, eio,, A CONSUME'!.