Exhibit 24(a)

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement 
for the Share Owner Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan of The 
Berkshire Gas Company on Form S-3 of our reports dated August 19, 1996, 
appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Berkshire Gas Company for 
the year ended June 30, 1996 and to the reference to us under the heading 
"Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
    DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Hartford, Connecticut
January 2, 1997