GAS FOR THE SUBURBS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12139, 24 August 1907, Page 2

GAS FOR THE SUBURBS.

To the Editor

Sir,—A little more daylight has bean let into the management of our Gas Department, indicating further how the ratepayers of this borough are being imposed upon. Our rates are creeping up enormously, and the outsiders are reaping the benefits while we pay the piper. I notice plant to the extent of £2000 is asked for' by the manager, and recommended by the Gas Committee so I presume it will in due timo time come forward. The suburbs benefit our gas is inferior, and our meters read high—in fact, about double what they did last winter. Now what I want to get at is why should gas be supplied outside the borough at all. Supplying these outsiders is done at the expense^ the ratepayers, and I maintain this should not be, at any rate until we who pay for it through the nose have a satisfactory article. I should like to know why it is that the Council have ignored Mr. Smithies' letter. He (Mr. Smithies) spoke pretty plainly as to a certain air machine which the Gas Department possess and used, and his letter was a challenge which I presume the Council wish forgotten. It is all very well .'or the learned City Fathers to wave the hand and exclaim, " We have received the explanation from the Gas Manager, which is perfectly satisfactory." Rot!

Tho gas affaire at the Gas Works want more light let in, and Mr. Smithies js tho man to put things right again. As regards Cr. Purser, he, like many of the other councillors, live outside the borough, consequently rates do not bother him. and he can get all"the advantages of the borough, and sit on tho fence and rub his hands at his socalled cleverness, but this gas business is now reaching a climax, and the ratepayers have a right to, and will demand,, that the suburbs shall not receive all the benefit whilst the two pay heavy taxes and prices for an inferior article. —I am, etc., GAS.