GAS FOR TAHUNA.

Nelson Evening Mail, 22 July 1916, Page 5

GAS FOR TAHUNA.

(To the Editor.) Sir, — As a ratepayer of this city I enter my protest -Against' the 'Council supplying gas to Tahuna. In thV Gas .Engineer's publisheoV report,'vhe there says that the scheme sbbw.; a' gross profit of 13 'per; ceiit.': 1.-Would like to know what he means', by gross profit? H the'gross profit'is •only, ceiat. the hett pi'ofit / will' be a- minus;quantity, and I have- not the 'slightestdoubt on a full examination: it vrpul'd show a, loss. There are riot more' 60 houses at Tahuna- ; which would/take 1 - the gas all the year round, and -would: not average more than:lss per month,; or £9 ''pier year—£s4o. The- Council 'propose spending £5500 in laying mains and' connections, etc.,- the interest'on this,, amount would be £175 per year, arid; if you allow the G-asworks a. profit of; 100 per cent.."on gas sold, the.'oqst price' bf the gas -would be £270.;, This/ together;' .with interest '.charges,' .would "amount . about £445 per year':, then,.oh : to this add office, meter reading arid .depreciation, charges.: The whole-thing amounts to this: Our wise, 'progressive ";C6'uncit'proposo to put down, a plant to"". cost -£3500 that will produce a gross return of only £540 per year, and the 'lowv&at. possible charges .-woiild be oyer £4OO. Bow /many business inert:would think; -jof .taking oh such a. proposition ?'; ' Ariojthfer (point: Many of the .: houses; aire 'let /"for (short iff' these houses have the-'gas-(I have, not "the slightest doubt they will: not) T guess it will take a- collect,or .a good .part'" .of his time -taking a six mile; walk, rea4-' :\hg meters, thereby still fuf'ther iricreas-;. •ing the charges. , • : ■ :' ' , - ■ ■'■ •~ "I am, etc.," ; ■ : i . : TAHUNAi -.;