Kirkintilloch Gas Company
To enquire about this item(s) please contact us archives@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
TitleKirkintilloch Gas Company
ReferenceBK/12
Date1858-1952
Archival historyThe Kirkintilloch Gas Light Company was formed in 1838 following delays in forming a municipal gas works by the town Commissioners. They erected their premises at Canal Street, and charged the town 3d per £ rental for supplies of gas to the lamp-lights. The town had to supply 50 of its own lamps, as well as a lamplighter, James Goodwin, the Superintendent of Police. The Burghs Gas Supply (Scotland) Act of 1876 allowed the Town Council to take over the company, and they took out a £15,000 loan in order to do so in 1876. It was reported in 1895 that the takeover had proved so successful that no increase in rates had been required to cover repayment of the loan.
A new type of gas-meter, the 'penny in the slot' (which produced a certain amount of gas upon insertion of a coin) was introduced in 1898, and the town council tried to persuade people to convert to this new meter, fixing gas at the price of 2/8d per 1000ft2, with a reduction for those who used the new meters. Due to an increase in demand, further expansion was required, necessitating the construction of new premises in 1908, at a cost of £30,000. The local administration came to an end following the Gas Act of 1948, when gas supply was nationalised, and British Gas took over.
A new type of gas-meter, the 'penny in the slot' (which produced a certain amount of gas upon insertion of a coin) was introduced in 1898, and the town council tried to persuade people to convert to this new meter, fixing gas at the price of 2/8d per 1000ft2, with a reduction for those who used the new meters. Due to an increase in demand, further expansion was required, necessitating the construction of new premises in 1908, at a cost of £30,000. The local administration came to an end following the Gas Act of 1948, when gas supply was nationalised, and British Gas took over.
Level of descriptionsub-fonds
Repository nameEast Dunbartonshire Archives - Kirkintilloch