Widnes Examiner. — 1884-08-09 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

OOO. They thought it was only a fair thing to adopt that course, and not to divide the whole of their profits,—to do as public bodies, divide a part of their profits and carry forward the balance. Since the Corporation purchased the gasworks they had paid off £132.54 in reduction of the debt, by instalments, ranging over the last four years. The price of their residual products was variable, which he looked upon as another reason why they should not absorb the whole of their products, as a reduction in the price of the products would mean a corresponding one in their income. This would be the second reduction made in the price of gas since the Corporation took the works, which he thought was a satisfactory thing. Dr. MACKIE said that the committee were unanimous as regarded a reduction of 3d. per 1 000 feet, bat after that their unanimity ceased. He wished to mention that at Stockport gas had been reduced to ge 6d, at Ashton to 2s 72, and in the city of London to 3s. 21. ; in Warrington it stood at 38. 3d. He asked why should Warrington lag behind and not be able to sell gases cheaply as other places, especially when it was considered that they had coal fields so near. The g is cost 2s. 62. when it was ready to go to the meters of the consumers, and why could it not be sold at less than 3s. 31. The poor niin who consumed less than 100 feet was charged 34. 31.; the shopkeeper who might be supposed to burn up to 200 000 feet 33.11., and the large dealer who might use up to 4,000,000 feet would, under the proposed reduction, be paying no profit, while the others would still pay a profit though a decreased one. The large dealer would pay no profit and the small consumer would be paYing 61, 81, or 92, as the Case might be. He was wishful that the large consumers should get the benefit of the 31 reductiou, but he thought they should allow the small consumer more at any rate in the charges they were about to mike. He thought 28 82 would be a fair amount to charge upon a total of 150,000,000 feet. Such reduction to 2s 8.1 to small consumers, and t 2s 6.1 to the large ones would allow a reduction of 72, 61, 54, and 3d respectively. He then moved "that the minutes of the Gas Committee be passed except those referring to the reduction of the price of gas, and that the same be sent back with a view to a further reduction." Mr. Dixox ascended the resolution.  Mr. FRANCOMB spoke in favour of the original minutes, for he firmly believed that every one would be perfectly satisfied with a reduction of 31 per 1000. He had never yet heard a single person grumble about the price of gas, and he thought it Nas the wisest course to reduce it gradually. It was preferable to jumping by leaps and bounds. Mr. MONKS remarked that though it might seem well to say that the large consumers were getting gas at cost price, it was a fallacy, for if they had not large consumers their loss would be greatly increased, as the more the make the less the cost. The proposed reduction was no more than equitable, and the small consumer would get his gas. having regard to the quantity that was made, at a cheaper rata than the large one After a further discussion, Dr. MACKIE said that he had previously been given to unders,and that the profits amounted to £4,000. After hearing that that was a mistake, and that they really only amounted to £2,900, he would ask his seconder to allow him to withdraw his amendment.  Councillor DIXON refused to withdraw, and the amendment was than put, with the result that 15 members voted against and one for. The minutes of the committee were then passed in their original form. This was all the business of public interest.  A woodturner named Checklev, in custody at Walsall Heath (Birmingham) Polica Station for stealing slippers, committed suicide on Thursday by hanging himself in his cell.