MASTERTON GAS WORKS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5027, 16 May 1895, Page 2

MASTERTON GAS WORKS.

The new tank for the Mastertongas works, has now been completed, and we are in a position to give our readers an account of the progress of the work. The preparation of • the plans and specification, werr entrusted to Messrs Penty and Forde, Architects and Civil Engineers, of Wellington aud MasteJfe, and the tender of Messrs Norbury and Trevor accepted for £597105, Operations were commenced on the 29th January, and finished on the 23rd March. Since the latter date, the work has been allowed to stand, so as to permit the concrete to set before being filled with water, The iron gas-holder, which is 50ft in diameter, by lift 6 inch high, was first raised above the ground, and supported by sii 12in. x 12in. posts, well braced together to resist the action of the wind upon tho supported holder. The whole of theold brickwork, pugging, concrete, etc., was then removed and shores and stays were inserted and' secured to the posts, so as to support the earth at the sides. Tho noxt step was to lay tho foundation of tho walls. These foundations wercwjn concreto 4ft wide by 2ft Gin in dfjjm, and studs 14ft high Bin, x 2in. and 18in. apart were fixed at tho top, to the bottom of the tank raised iron holder, and fastened to tho foundations and thon lined with 4x2 inch tongued and grooved boards, thus forming a complete wood cylinder betwoen the raised holder and tho ground so as to receive the concrete walls of tho tank. This cylinder was kept in position until thejeoncrete had set, to sustain the weight of the next tier which in its turn supports tho top tier. The three tiers were each four feet high, the bottom one 2ft Sill thick; the middle one 22in aud the top one 18 inches thick, and the concrete of which they wero constructed, being composed of one part of Portland cement, two parts of scrconed gravel, and three parts of sand. The floor of the tank, which was not put in until ample time had been allowed for any settlement, is. 20 inches thick, and comprises nearly 140 cubic yards of concrete, mixed on tho ground, and lowerifljh shoots-the wholo floor in in tho snort space of thrcci days, The whole of the inside of t'he tank was plastered with Portland, cement, one part to one part of sand.. In tho construction of the works, 356 casks of Gillingham's brand Portland coraont and 320 loads of gravel and. sand were used. Tho old guidesin the tank woro replaced, by 12 channel irons 12ft long,, built of angle irons rivettecL together and fastened to the walk with lewis bolts, for which purpose tubes had previously boon built in. Finally tho holder was raised and. lowered by inllation with air, thus proving it to he in thorough working' order, and both gas and air-tight. The whole of the works wero carried out under the personal direction and supervision of Mr L. J. Porde, C.E., who devoted a great deal of time to : the matter in order to insure the successful completion of the o]A'«; tions, while Mr W. Betty, actcdTs Clerk of works. The town is to be' congratulated upon having at lastobtained a structure which will last' for many years to come.