22 CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GASWORKS. 



be able to form a reasonably accurate forecast of the quan- 

 tity of gas required, for the first few years at any rate. 

 Some experience in districts of similar size and character is 

 a substantial help, but each district has its special peculiar- 

 ities, and even places apparently as much alike as two peas 

 will show a considerable difference as regards quantity of 

 gas used per head per annum. The information obtained 

 by canvassing is of a very uncertain character, and in some 

 parts of the country there is considerable reluctance to 

 promise support, and especially to sign any paper. My 

 experience of canvassing is usually that the unexpected 

 happens. Persons who were looked upon as pillars of 

 support, for one reason or another prove to be broken 

 reeds, and others who stoutly opposed the formation of the 

 company, because they desired the district to keep up its 

 distinctly rural character, are among the best customers. 

 In one case, a gentleman never passed the mainlayers at 

 work, laying the gas supply into a village, without 

 expressing strong disapprobation, and when the parish 

 council put up twenty public lamps, he objected that one 

 might as well live in London. But within two years his 

 house was lighted throughout, his food was cooked by 

 means of gas, and a geyser and two or three gas fires, etc., 

 were also in use. Some of the old-fashioned folk have con- 

 siderable nervousness, but familiarity breeds a different 

 feeling, and gas is now so familiar to all that it is no longer 

 regarded as an untried novelty. One or two persons of 

 established position in the district, who are believers in the 

 advantages of gas, and will use it in their own houses, 

 besides recommending it to their friends, will secure more 

 business than a regular canvasser. 



It may happen that none of the directors have any expert 

 knowledge, and that they place themselves entirely in the 



