THE GAS MONOPOLY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 2854, 17 September 1875, Page 2

THE GAS MONOPOLY.

(To the Editor of the ' Mercury.) Sib, — I read with much .pleasure your leading article of the 24th inst., toushing the gaa question, and- trust you will not spare youi pen onthiß important subject until 1 you havt obtained some substantial redreHS for the gas consumers of this city. I will, sir, "with youi permission, suggest the propriety, in the event' 6$ the present-company' u continued and obstinate refusal to redress the wrongs ac

long perpetrated and so patiently borne hi their customers, whether it would not be pos sible to inaugurate a new company. I believe this could be easily accomplished in the following manner, viz. : A legal document could be drawn up and presented to all gas feonsumnrs for signature, which would bind them to take their gas from any new company, Bay, . for three or five years, on condition that such ! company supply them with a good gas at from eight "to ten shillings per thousand feet. I feel quite sure, sir, from the feeling I know to exist amongst the tx'adespeople of Hobart , Town, and who, I should suppose, consume four-fiPths of tho gas supplied to private mdi.- . viduals in the city, would, with very few ex- ' ceptions, gladly sign such a document. Our city magnates would also, perhaps, consider 'it their duty, if not to their interests, to have | the lamps of the city supplied at a cost not j exceeding seven or eight pounds per lamp, , iustead of eleven, as now paid. In fact, they would be bound to support any new company ! offering such terms. My own individual j opinion is, and has been for some time past, though I may be wrong, that the gas, as with the water supply, should be in the hands of our City Council At any rate, sir, I think you will agree with me when I say that something should be done, and that quickly, to j put an effectual stop to the gresent outrageous monopoly in gas. — I am, &c, Progress.