SELLING PRICES AND TERMS OF BUSINESS. Ill 



endeavour should be made to meet the requirements of the 

 district, so that no inhabitant can say that he wanted to use 

 gas but could not obtain the necessary fixtures. 



In no case should the gas supply be connected up to a 

 suction gas plant, to be used as a stand-by, without a flexible 

 connection that can be transferred from one branch to the 

 other, or other arrangement that will make quite sure that 

 the engine and connections are under atmospheric pressure 

 before the town gas cock is opened. In one case a serious 

 annoyance and risk of accident was occasioned, and all the 

 lights within a quarter of a mile jumped out, by opening 

 the town gas cock before shutting off the suction, the 

 idea in view being to make the change without stopping 

 the engine. There is a disposition to fall back on 

 town gas just when there is extra heavy work to be 

 done, which is very convenient for the user of the engine, 

 but not for other consumers in the neighbourhood, and it 

 is desirable, if possible, to have no connection with suction 

 plants. 



Whatever the position of statutory companies may be 

 towards ordinary customers, non-statutory companies have 

 a free hand in respect to parties who retain a large meter 

 for stand-by or other irregular usage; and in either case 

 they can include a minimum clause in the slot agreements. 

 In dealing with unprofitable customers, the object is not so 

 much to get rid of them as to induce them to use more gas, 

 and it is only after efforts in this direction are found to be 

 useless that the service should be cut off. 



All services that are out of use, and likely to remain so, 

 should be cut off at the main. If for any reason it is 

 found desirable to leave a blind service on any private 

 premises, it should be examined every quarter, to see that 

 it is in sound order and condition. 



