THE GAS WORKS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1446, 14 September 1915, Page 3

THE GAS WORKS.

AUGUST WORKING

The amount of gas manufactured during the month of August was 352,300 ft., which, with the amount in holder on August isl, 4,300 ft., makes a total of 356,600 ft. The amount sold to consumers was (lighting) 160,800 ft., (cooking and heating) 64000 ft., (power) 69,300 ft., 25,400 ft. was used in the street lamps, ■ 20,500 ft- in the works, and there was 3000 It. in the holder on September Ist, leaving 13,600 ft., representing 4 per centof the output, unaccounted for. The amount of coal carbonised was 31 tons, yielding 11,400 ft. per ton. The earnings amounted to 8s 41! made up of gas sales (lighting) £irr 6s 6d, Hieat and power) £39 12s id, meter rent ros, coke sales £\ 9s od, tar sales 7s 6d, weighing 13s 6d, fitting account £\ 15s 6d and coal £\ 13s 6d, The expenditure totalled os sd, made up of. coal is 6d, salaries and wages ns Sd, labour services £l, fittings £23 19s sd, meters is nd, tools 4s, casks 17s fid, working expenses £6 5s 3d, engine repairs and oil £2 7s fid, interest and sinking fund £39 trsSd.

MANAGER’S REPORT,

The gas manager submitted the following monthly report : “I beg to report that during the month of August we received 50 tons r 2 cwt. of coal. One service and meter was installed to a new dwelling and another is on baud at present. All the pre-payment meters have been altered to give twelve feet of gas more for every 1 shilling. This brings these meters into a slightly more favourable position aud those consumers using them will get the full benefit of the reduction in price just fixed. A start has been made in the work of installing the new retorts. We have quite a number of enquiries for gas cookers, but I am afraid we are likely to miss this summer’s heavy consumption, as*up to the present no intimation has been received of when they will be landed. This is a very serious matter to us, 1 herewith submit statement showing cost of street lamps for month of August, While the items are approximate only and not worked down to fractions still it shows there is reason to look carefully into the working and especially the profit or loss of this branch of the works. I wish to put the matter of a magnetic ignition appliance for our engine before von for consideration. Had we one fixed it would relieve us greatly at the works, especially during the summer months, and would save about 2000 U of gas per month. The cost would be approimateiy £'S fixed. Approximate cost of 35 street lamps lor mouth of August : Gas consumed 25,400 ft at los £l2 r4S, 4 dozen mantles iSs, 1 dozen chimneys 4s 6d, 2 burners ss, repairs to clockwork Bs, wages for lighting lamps £3 2s 1 id, a total of ,£l7 12s s<l, interest on original cost of posts, lanterns, burners and pipes (35 lamps at /D 75 at 5 pc: cent. 14s 78, total 7,18 7s, less revenue 35 lamps at £s per annum each equally 7s per mouth, leaving a debit balance of £\." The Mayor said that he differed with the manager as to the method of making up the above statement. The gas used in the lamps should certainly not be charged up at tire highest rate, hut should be reckoned at the lowest, 6s 3d per 1000 ft. The Town Clerk had worked out the costs at the various rates and if the gas were charged at 9s 2d, the highest rate at present charged, there would have been a loss last month of £1 19 s yd. The figures being 25,400 ft of gas 12s rod, chimneys, mantles, wages and repairs £4 18s sd, total £l6 ns 3d, less revenue £l4 ns Bd. It the gas was reckoned at 6s 3d, which he contended was the correct rate to charge, there would be a credit balance on the month’s woiking of £1 14s fid. It charged at 5s rod the credit balance would be £2 5s id. The manager had also made a mistake in charging interest on the the cost of installing the lamps. The posts and lanterns had been paid for out of the general account and were in no w T ay a charge on the gas works account so that the manager was entirely wrong in charging interest etc.