376 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
tons; gas produced, 2664 million feet, which sold at from 2s. 9d. 
to 4s. 3d. per thousand—average about 3s.; coke and breeze, 
£55,868 ; tar, £33,205; ammoniacal liquor, £16,584; sundries, 
£181. This company belongs to the town, and in two years 
earned £55,000, devoted to the reduction of local taxation. 
But these results are greatly exceeded in the experience of the 
Manchester Corporation, which has of late years been the means of 
keeping to the front the very important question whether it is not 
the duty of every municipal corporation to take into its hands the 
supplies of water and of gas. In 1807, at Manchester, there was 
one gaslight, which was over the police office. In 1817 the Police 
Commissioners erected gas works, and supplied gas at 14s. per 
thousand, and from time to time extensive additions have been 
made under the administration of the town authorities. With 
such success have these operations gone on, that the Gas Com- 
mittee of the Corporation, up to 1876, have transferred the sum of 
£1,060,075 to the Improvement Committee, which sum therefore, 
instead of passing into the pockets of private shareholders, has 
been devoted to the commercial interests of the whole population. 
Why should not we do likewise here at Plymouth? We have 
already sufficient evidence of administrative ability on the part of 
our municipal authorities in the present state of the water supply, 
although outsiders seem to think there may be considerable im- 
provement. 
Such a project would doubtless meet with opposition from the 
shareholders; but their proper interests may be equitably adjusted 
consistently with the taking in hand by the Corporation of the 
supply of gas, so that the benefit of the future enlargement of the 
town may be as equitably divided amongst those who may con- 
tribute to its future welfare. It is true that there are many pros 
and cons to be advanced, For example, the town authorities 
would have carefully to consider the possibility of gaslighting 
being superseded by electricity. Certainly this would greatly 
diminish the value of the old plant, but there would then be 
brought into prominence another view of the value of gas-works to 
which but little attention has as yet been directed by present gas 
companies. 
If electricity be introduced, power will be required to develop it. 
This power can only be developed by supplies of water or of fuel. 
If water be used, let an equivalent charge be made for its con- 
