Claremont Gas Light Co. v. Monadnock Mills, Inc.

Service to the public without discrimination is one of the distinguishing characteristics of a public utility (Dover &c. Ry. Co. v. Wentworth, 84 N. H. 258, 260), and, except as modified by statute, it is the general rule that unless a person has publicly pro fessed his readiness to perforin a particular service he is under no duty to render that service to all who request it. Faucher v. Wilson, 68 N. H. 338, 339, and cases cited; Milford Quarry &c. Co. v. Railroad, 84 N. H. 407, 410, 411. The term “public utility” is defined by statute in this jurisdiction to include every corporation…