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                                                                      Exhibit 23


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Fall River Gas Company


     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in the registration statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-13995 of
our reports dated November 19, 1996, included in Fall River Gas company Form
10-K for the year ended September 30, 1996, and to all references to our firm
included in this registration statement.


                                                         /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
December 30, 1996




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