THE GAS QUESTION,

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9392, 19 March 1898, Page 2

THE GAS QUESTION,

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Hie following letters have been kindly llitudod tb us for publieatioh :—: — Sdroimh (jouno,!l tihoiribe'rs, Wflnjlanui, Jan. 24, 1898. *Tue Cihiumw and Directors ' Wanganui Gasworks. 'Bra,— The coiturtittße ot tha Wanganui .floroilgh Council, feSl tip fdr the piirpdso of rdp'o.rtlng mi tile proper liqlitirig t>£ the town, have Instiu.cted njo to wv.it<i to you bit Uie question' of jWrciiasfl df tlld gasj Worltg', Prom inquiries made we fldd that an up-to-datq works aud mains, could bo^suppliefl !£>£ £8600, but as ,the Council have no desire ,to clash ,with< your compatty Ihey would likdyon to consider the quostion as to the lowest price your works could bo purchased by them. A letter on the above subject has already been sent, yonr reply being to the effect that the terms of the agreement set forth tho price that should bo paid, and this, you figure out to bo £16,000, but the agreement, to whioh you refer the committee, we would point out, pvactioally expires at tho end of tho present year, whim the Council will undoubtedly bo within their right in asking permission from Parliament to eiect works of their own. Before doing so tho Council first wish to give you the opportnnity of disposing of yonr works, obsoloto as they are, to them at sonlething like their market value- My committee, taking into consideiation the largo dividends your shareholders have enjoyed for so many yam's, nud tho nature oE the plant, think that if yon received an amount with >our invested funds equalto paying your shareholders back the pald--np Value of thoir shaißa, the douncil Would be treating ydii 'on a liiost liberal basis: Yours faithfully, J. iPoBNEMi,' Town Clerk. Jaues PorneMi. Town Clerk, Dear Shi,— Your letter of the 24th January has received the careful consideration of my Boird. I am directed to stato that tho question of tho sale of the company's property upon any ofchor terms than those I laid down in tho agreement between the Corporation and the company cannot bo considered by the directors without roforence to tho shareholders. If the Council are prepared to make a definite offer, suoh as we would be justified in submitting to our shareholders, Bteps will at once be taken to conveno a speoial meeting. Yours faithfully, FnEEjtAjt E. Jackson, Secretary. A meeting of the Lighting Committee of the Oounoll will bo held at i p.ni. on Monday, for tile purpose of considering the GAs Company's reply.