I THE GASWORKS.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 21 March 1918, Page 3

I THE GASWORKS.

A very interesting report was submitted to Monday night's meeting of the ]3orough Council by Mr A. Burrell; manager of the municipal gasworks, and covering the financial year. It was as follows:

Gas Manufacture.—During the year 6,600,000 feet of gas was made as against 5,800,000 last year, showing a solid increase of 800,000 feet for the year's working. Our gas manufactured for last month totals 548,000 and fo* the corresponding period of 1913 only 301,000 ft was manufactured, an increase of 248,000 cubic feet for "One month. I think these figures will prove that the department has shown a good forward movement and a satisfactory position must be recognised. Plant.—The only work of note under this heading is the new retort bench. This work has been j completed and the retorts put into use. The brick-work was carried out by Mr Stone, and all the iron work fitted and erected by myself - Although there we r e several parts of the material short sent from Home, I was able to obtain my Requirements in this country, and am pleased to say the whole work was carried out well within our estimate. For the current year there is no further expenditure in this direction necessary. On the whole the plant is in good rtininng order, giving good carbonising results. Mams, services..—As I have previously pointed out, this Department is proving each, year to be of the greatest value in extending the Council's gas business. We installed ten new cookers this year, making a total of 130 now in actual use. We also fitted up approximately 20 new. consumers and oar main connections now total a.bout 360. Like all other industries we find the gradual rise in prices of this material rather embarrassing, but I a,m pleased to say that with careful buying and economy in using, we have, with few exceptions, kept our prices normal. It is, however, gratifying to state that all gas materials during the year have been procurable, although at advanced prices. # . Street lighting.—As directed by the Council all the old wornout arc lamps, other than the main street, have been removed 'and replaced bv new copper square lanterns. The new lamps for the main street are now in stock and will be erected this week. When this is done, our street lighting will be on a good, sound working basis and no further expense necessary for some years to come. ' The square lanterns are working well Hvith less failures when lighting and extinguishing: The old complaint re excessive pressure is practically a thing of the past. I mig-ht say the whole of this work will be carried out within our estimated cost. General - -As you are aware, during the year the price of coal was considerably increased. We are now paying 38s per ton landed, in the gasworks as against 26s 6d pre-war prices, an increase of lis 6d per ton. Imported coal is even higher, being now 47 s : landed at works aa against 31s for- : merly. Taking into account our last year's consumption, nameij 1 600 tons, we actually paid away £345 more for that amount of coal than formerly. You will J readily see that the coal problem | is a very serious one. However, 1 up to the present we are able to secure ample supplies and there has been very little inconvenience in this direction. AH these unavoidable increases can only be met by careful managership and economy in the general working routine. This has necessitated my working longer hours _ both in the manufacturing and distributing departments. I shall continue to devote all my energy to pilot the Department through a rather anxious period. In conclusion. I would like to thank the Chairman of the Lighting Committee and the Town Clerk for the assistance rendered ? to me in carrying out the business of the Department during the year. Cr Matheson, Chairman of the Lighting Committee, said he had been going into the Gas Department's finances that ■ afternoon with the Town' Clerk, find it was found that there Was a credit of between £250 and £350 on the year's working alone. This was . a remarkable achievenient when they remembered that the estim-' ated profit was about £40, and the great increase in the price of coal. When the gas manager put up a record like that it was well worthy of comment. If it had not been wax time Cr Matheson considered the profit "would have been £600 or £700 from the gas department. ; It must be remembered that. the manager had put in a lot of overtime and for at least six months had saved the Council one man's wages. Cr Matheson said he had no hesitation in recommending the Council to grant Mr Burrell a bonus of £20. Cr Lancaster said it waß a Tery satisfactory thing to get a report like this. He knew that the manager put in a great deal of overtime . and he was perfectly sure they should recognise his good work. The Mayor agreed that the gas manager had done good work and that his'overtime should be recognised as suggested. But he questioned whether it was in the interests of efficiency or health that the system should continue. If there was enough work for another man the Council should put one on. He fully agreed that Mr Burrell deserved a bonus for his work and attention to the interests of the works. Cr Mackenzie said he finderstood the gas manager worked very long hours. Cr Ryder paid the difficulty was in getting another good man at the present time. Cr Matheson''s motion granting a £20 bonus was carried.