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obligations as well as statutory powers, by means of a Bill,
a Provisional Order, or a licence.
(4.) That there is no objection to the granting of a large area of supply
to any Company which shows that it has sufficient capital,
and is capable of coping with the demand. On the contrary,
a large and rich Company is likely to be the best and most
economically managed concern, to be able while working
over a large and scattered area to develop the demand for
the light, and by rapidly increasing its business to be the
sooner in a position to reduce the price of the article supplied.
(5.) That in the abstract, competition is desirable as tending
to keep down the price, and to cause the manufacture and
supply of electricity to be carried on with all the attention
and energy which it is possible to devote to it.
The competition with gas, which at present at any rate, and probably
for many years to come, will appeal to a totally different class of
customer, will not be nearly so effective, while the potential competition
from the power of calling in a new Company in an area
badly served is not likely to be called into play until the bad service
has passed through many degrees, and has reached a very low ebb
indeed.
The question as to how many Companies should be granted concurrent
powers in one area requires more consideration.
In cases where the local authority objects to the entrance of any
Company, and it is decided to over-rule the objection, I think
that one Company only should be granted powers.
In cases where two or more Companies have obtained the assent of
the local authority, the following facts must not be lost sight
of:—
1st. That the laying of the mains of several Companies up one
street means so much dead capital, and moreover the
provision of a certain amount of useless material, which
the local authority would have to pay for if it should
decide to purchase the undertakings after the lapse of
42 years.
2nd. That, no matter what regulations or stipulations may be
made as to the laying of mains, the interference with the
streets, and the consequent inconvenience to the public,
must be in a certain degree proportionate to the number
of Companies having powers over these streets.