WELLINGTON GAS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9758, 6 September 1917, Page 3

WELLINGTON GAS

OFFICIAL EEPLY TO COMPLAINTS. To the Editor “N.Z. Times/' Sir, —Under the heading of “Wellington Gas'’ you published in your issue of to-day’s date correspondence that has passed between Mr J. Miller and the Government, and in this a most unfair reference is made to a letter of mine, viz., "A two-page letter dated August 22nd. 1917, was received from, the general manager and engineer of the Wellington Gas Company admitting inefficient supply and the impossibility of importing pipes at present, also the desirability of communicating complaints direct to the Gas Company.” I hope you will, in fairness to the Wellington Gas Company, publish the letter I sent to Mr Miller, a copy of which letter is enclosed. —I am, etc.. ARCHIBALD DOUG ALL, General Manager and Engineer. September sth. ("Enclosure.! Mr J. Miller, 3, Hutchison road, Wellington. Dear Sir, —A copy of your letter (addressed to the Prime Minister) on th'b" subject of the illuminating power of the Wellington gas hag been forwarded to me. . I have obtained a report of your gas installation from the company's inspector. which report is as follows“I called at Mr Miller’s house, 3, Hutchison rdad, Newtown, and examined the gas installation, which consists of 1 inch service, Wight meter, ‘W.G.C.,’ cooker, 3 lights and a gas iron. X put a gauge* on which registered -13-lOths, and with all appliances on, 35-10ths. Two lights are old Peko burners and one ‘C* burner. . These were dirty', and the 'C' burner holes were stopped with soap. I cleaned the burners and adjusted them, _but was Informed that they are all right at times. ' but when neighbours use their appliances it is unsatisfactory, and lights have to> bo readjusted.” Further, investigation shows that your residence is supplied by a service from Hanson street. The main pipe was evidently in the first place laid to supply only two or three houses, but has been gradually added to until at the present - June ‘nine houses obtain their supply from it. The effect of this pipe being overworked is that when a small gas consumption is taking place good light would be obtained in your house, but when all the houses are using gas the supply would be insufficient, and, in order to improve the lighting power of the burners it would she necessary to freduoo the air supply. Owing to the shortage of pipes and the impossibility at the present time of importing I am unable to have laid a main in Hutchison road, but am prepared to have extended from Hanson street, free of charge to vou, a new service of suitable size, provided you-can obtain for mo the consent of the owner of the land. It will be necessary for the consent to ]>o in writing in a form, which I shall bo pleased to supply on hearing from you. * ~ In regard to your comments on the quality of the gas X wish to point out that in these days of strenuous competition, even if it were desired to adulterate the gas as suggested by you. it would be a suicidal policy from a gas comoaky’s point of view. With the exception of the 1913 waterside workers* strike and the recent trouble at Miramar, 1 can assure you that the 'quality of the gas Supplied in AVellington is as good; if not better, than any previously manufactored. My company would welcome an investigation on the lines suggested by you. namely, from that of a Government specialist. In future if you have any trouble with your gas supply the quickest wav of having the matter rectified ■would be to communicate with mo direct. Yours truly, (Signed.) ARCHIBALD DOUGALL. General Manager and Engineer.