THE GAS QUESTION.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1951, 6 August 1869, Page 2

THE GAS QUESTION.

A public meeting of the ratepayers, convened for the purpose of enabling them “to meet and confer With Mr A. K. cSmith, civil engineer, on the subject of gas supply for the City,” was held in the New Post-Utfice Hall to-day, at eleven o’clock. The hall was filled shortly after the meeting commenced. Mr J. Ch if fen was called to the chair, and he briefly explained the objects for which the meeting had been calLd. He said that the question under consideration did not merely affect the consumers of uas, but it tooch-.d the pockets of every individual in the community. The meeting had been called to enable the ratepayers to put any questions to Mr Smith with reference to gas. The City Council had thought it the best course to adopt, fearing that questions might arise after Mr Smith's departure which could not he well discussed in his absence. He would take the liberty of introducing Mr Smith to the meeting. Mr Smith, on stepping forward, was received with applause. He observed that the time at his disposal was very limited, as he had to leave by the two o’clock steamer. He thought it only fair that those interested in the gas question should have an opportunity of putting any questions to him bearing upon the report which ho had presented to the Chy Council. He had prepared it under great disadvantages, fo wh n lie came here he was not aware of the tine state of things, and he had not brought wLh him books of reference ; had it been otherwise, his report would have been more connected than it was. In making that report, he had been unbiassed, and not influeno.d in any way or by any one, and the report was simply the result of his own observations. If it had not been satisfactory to some parties he was exceedingly sorry. In his report he had pointed out that there were something like 2(30 public 1 mps —he believed 250 lamps were lighted at the present time, and they would have burned according to agreement 4,000,000 cubic feet of gas. The difference between the sum of 7s per thousand, and the sum now charged would be ou the average L 1,400 per annum, and with it the Corporation could pay the interest, and, besides, it would enable them to establish a sinking fund to meet the debentures raised to erect the works when they became due.

Mr Jago asked if Mr Smith, in estimating the cost of new works at L 14,594, calculated upon the necessary plant being made in the Colonies or imported from home. Mr Smith observed that it bad been stated because he was an iron founder that it would be to his interest to have the plant, &c., manufactured in Melbourne. He would tell them that nothing could be made in the colonies for the i rice that it could be imported from borne. It was necessary tnat the works should be carried out as economically as possible. His estimate of L 14,894 was for works capable of supplying the whole of the gas used at present. As a gas engineer, he had considered it necessary that the city should look ahead a few years, and see what the demand might become. It seemed to him that the population was bearing northward; and as it was likely that the inhabitants would increase, so there would be an increased consumption of gas. Therefore it was necessary to make provision for enlargement if required, and he allowed L3,001t sor that purpose—in round numbers, LIB,OOO in all; and the money won d be well spent iu thus providing for fut .re extensions. With the reduction of price, there would undoubtedly be increased consumption, and probably «n increased number of consumers. Mr Jago enquired if, in his estimate of L 14,894, Mr Smith calculated upon the works producing sufficient gas to meet the increased demand some five or six years hence ; or whether it would be necessary to incur a fresh outlay of capital to do so ? [At this stage of the proceedings Mr S. Hutchison entered the room, and was received with applause.] Mr Smith was understood to state in reply' that in preparing the estimate he had not been able to ascertain the exact quantity supplied to the city. The works to be built at his estimate, would supply a sufficient quantity to meet the requirements of the city, and by the expenditure of the L 3,000, provision would be made to meet an increased demand.

Mr Myers asked if after liaving agreed to erect tlie works for L 15,000, Mr Smith as an engineer would contract to supply the town at 12s 6d per thousand? Mr Smith replied that he had no objection to undertake the construction of the works. He had been sent over to report, and he had no wish that his own private b siuess should be imported into the question. If called upon to do so, however, he would have no hesitation in undertaking to erect the works, exclusive of service pipes, for L 15,000. It was a matter entirely for the inhabitants. If the inhabitants would gua antee to give him a consumption of 12,000,000 cubic feet, he would be only too glad to supply gas at 12s 6d per 1000 ; besides, if the consumption materially increased, and there was an increased number of consumers, arrangements might be made for a still further reduction of price.—(Applause.) Mr Fuller asked a question of a financial character, but his observations, as well as Mr Smith’s reply, were inaudible to the reporters. Mr Smith stated that contingent upon it being decided to take action upon his report, ho had advised the Council to call for tenders for the erection of the works from persons in the different colonies, as well as in Dunedin. He did not wish the Council to accept any tender which he might forward, without comparing it with any of the other tenders sent in. If it was found that they could not get a tender for the work at the price he had named, be was willing to take up the contract. (Applause.) Mr S. Hutchison said, if the meeting had no further questions to ask of Mr Smith, he intended, if the meeting would allow him, to make some remaiks. (Cries of “No speeches.”) No question that he could put would enable him to deal with a report like that of Mr Smith’s, as it would almost require a horse to carry the stationery on which it was written. (Laugh.er). Mr ‘Smith expressed himself willing to answer any question, but listening to remaiks on such a report as his was could be of no service. Mr Hutchison had the Press, through which he could review it.

The Chairman wished to give Mr Hutchison every opportunity of explaining himself that any other gentleman would have.

After some discussion, Mr Hutchison asked if Mr Smith had ascertained in any instance mentioned in his v cport that the Gas Company had been called upon to do a greater amount of work than could oe done under the pressure recorded. Mr .Smith said he cou d not tell what had been asked of Mr Hutchison. He had taken the pressure in different parts of the City, and found it deficient. Taking Mr Hutcbis in’s statement of one hundred consumers to the mile, the number of consumers would be greater than it was, A few questions were put and answered ; and af er some confusion, Mr Hutchison was allowed to speak for twenty minutes. Mr Hutchiso •' said Mr Smith’s figures taken from the Gas Journal he should not dispute, but he denied that in any way or in any single instance the Gas Company had been called upon to supply a greater quantity of gas through the mains than they were able to give. He invited the City Council to take the pressure of the mains in any part f the City. He had divided the City into ten blocks. He was prepared to prove that the capacity of the mains in the city was such that the Gas Company were not only able to supply what had hitherto been required, but more than was asked. Mr .Smith had spoken about the quality of the gas, and that it was indifferent when he arrived, but had been beautiful ever since. It was not necessary to explain the absurdity of the statement, but if he had tried the illuminating power, why did he not state it ? It was not to his disadvantage to have slated it, and therefore it was withheld. Wbh regard to street lighting, theoretically Mr Smith was correct, but in practice what he stated was more or less calculated to deceive. (Cheers and hisses ) He could not light the lamps in the city or extinguish them by an electric spark, and therefore that must necessarily take three-quarters of an hour both evening and morning. That taken into consideration, Mr Smith’s calculations were very much at fault. Lighting the lamps of the city, extinguishing them, cleaning and keeping them in repair, cost a little more than Ll,ooo per annum, while he estimated the cost at L3OO a-year. If all his calculations were as correct as that, the Lord help the citizens. With regard to the pressure, did Mr Smith take it at more than six or seven points in the City ? Taking the pressure at the public lamps only tended to deceive. He could prove to the City Council, if they would accompany him, that Mr Smith’s experiments were unreliable. The pressure was 2J_to 2£. After travelling through a long main it was reduced 3-lO.lis. When it got to the Imperial it was 15-10tbs. At the Octagon he never knew it under 12-10ths or 13-loths. Those were facts independent of S. Hutchison or anyone else. Much had been said respecting tbe size of the mains. Could Mr Smith tell of any town with a similar number of inhabitants, where the mams were larger ? The mains w-rc amide. He would not say considerable improvement might not be made ; but if a pressure like steam were required, they were not prepared to give it. {•; heers.) The site of the works was a matter of expediency, but Mr Smith had not suggested one offering greater advantages. That at the bottom of Hanover street was not better than the present, either for convenience of gas supply to the principal consumers or for saving labor or cartage. We are only 1,500 miles from Melbourne, and although those in Dunedin might not be so wise as those in Melbourne they bad some little common sense. The price of gas in Melbourne was lls a thousand, and the contract price of coals 24s 3d per ton. With coals at that price and labor 20 per cent, less than in Dunedin, gas could not be supplied at the same rate in Dunedin.

Mr Hutchison concluded by saying be was going to make a report for the City Council, nd he would pledge himself to place indisputable facts before t-em. There should be no speculative figures. The success of Mr Smith’s plans was based upon the assumption that the interests he represented would be tame as possible under an infliction of the character proposed, but it won d be found no such thing. They must not believe it. If there was ever a firm that could make a stand they could, and would do it. Mr Sjixth replied to Mr Hutchison, and. gave the data upon which he had based his calculations. He named the places where he had taken the pressure of the gas, and said that if it were necessary he should be prepared to undertake to carry out the work at the estimate he bad made.

Mr Hedmayne asked several questions, which were satisfactorily answered. Oji the motion of Mr John Hav, seconded by Mr Hutchison, a vote of thanks was given to Mr Smith for meeting the people of the City. Mr Ue Cakee moved, and Mr Peym.vn seconded, a resolution approving of the expenditure of Ll5O by the City Council, in bringing Mr Smith over to give his professional opinion on the gas question.” The resolution was carried nan con. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the proceedings closed.