THE SUPPLY OF GAS TO DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7784, 2 November 1886, Page 6

THE SUPPLY OF GAS TO DUNEDIN.

Ik Dune din the gas works are ocanaged by the corporation. The working of the department has lately been reported on by Mr. Lee Smith, and, in commenting upon the report, the Otago Daily Times says :— Whilst we understand that the price of gas to the consumer is aa low, if not lower, in Dunedin than in any town in New Zealand, Mr. Smith adduces tables which show that the number of consumers is only a third as large as in Auckland, little more than half aa large as in Wellington, and only twice as large as in Invsroargill, whilnt the cost of making the gas is 4s 6d in Wellington, 4a lid in Auokland and Christohuroh, 5s Id in luveroargill, and 6a 8d in Dunedin. We trust that Mr. Smith will this evening <ooint out what reason exists for the comparatively enormous cost of producing gas for tine oity, beyond the small extent of the consumption—that is, how far it has been due to foolish expenditure in the past, and how far to existing and remediable oauses. That it is not merely due to the small consumption is shown by the comparison with Invercargill, where there are only 700 consumers to 1506 here, and yet the cost is Is 7<l cheaper. Mr. Smith has dearly shown that the business part of the gas department is being inefficiently managed, in that the consumption does not approaoh the amount which from a compsrison with other cities we have a right to expeot. To remedy this, Mr. Smith suggests that the practice of requiring deposits on application for a supply should be discontinued except in cases of temporary service ; that sorvioiug from the mains to the meter should be done at the cost of the Corporation to an extent of 50ft from the building line ; that fittings should be supplied upon time payment; that the price of gas should be reduced to 7s 6d per 1000, and that for stoves and motive power to 6s 3d per 1000; and that a room shonld be fitted up to show the latest improvements in all departments of gas supply. All these suggestions except the last seem to us to be well worthy of adoption ; and although they wonld primarily entail a loss of about £1500 a year on the present output, we believe, with Mr. Smith; that this should be more than mad* up by a larger consumption.