CAMBRIDGE GASWORKS' PROJECT.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1489, 19 January 1882, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE GASWORKS' PROJECT.

♦ It will be within the recollection of our readers that a project for lighting Cambridge by gas was mooted some time ago, and that in pursuance of the idea, a gasworks' engineer —Mr H. Atkinson — visited the town, with the view of inspecting and reporting upon the probabilities of the scheme. That gentleman's report has been received. It is dated Auckland, January 11th, addressed to Mr Thomas Wells, and reports as follows :—: — I have taken your estimate that there would be 50 consumers of gas from Kirkwoods hotel, Duke-street, to the English Church, Victoriastreet, also six public lamps, and I have estimated the average consumption of gas for each consumer at 15,000 cubic feet per annum, and 8000 cubic feet per annum for each lamp, which is a low average in comparison with other places supplied with gas. In my estimate of the annual revenue I have calculated the price of gas at 20s per 1000 cubic icct, which shows a large profit, therefore I have no doubt but that you will be able to supply gas profitably^ at a lower price; and by expending about £400 in -laying pipes to supply private residences in some of the side streets, the profits should be considerably increased, as_ the additional annual expenditure would be principally for coal. In my estimate of the annual expenditure I have allowed 75 tons of Greymouth coal, at 45s per ton, for the production of 750,000 cubic feet of gas, which is at the rate of 10,000 ft. per ton of coal, whereas the coal produces about 12,000 ft. per ton; and fiom inquiry made I am led to believe that the coal could be landed at Cambridge for 40s per ton. The duty of secretary could dc undertaken by one of your townsmen as well as his ordinary business, as there would be very little for him to do, and £50 would be ample for the service ; and I could find you a suitable man to take charge of the works. With reference to the cost of the manufacturing and distributing plant necessary for the place, in the event of a company being formed, I would undertake to supply and erect all necessary plant and buildings for the manufacture of gats, supply and lay one mile of 3m. cast iron main, supply and lay 50 wrought iron service pipes, supply and connect to sctvice pipes 50 gas metres of the size required by each consumer, and start the whole works in operation for the sum of £2450. The only additional outlay for the company would be the preliminary expenses in starting the company, the site for the works, and a small cottage for the man in charge of the works, unless one could be rented near the site selected. With reference to the formation of the company, I have sent you a copy of the articles of association of the Thames Gas Company ; and I think the first step to take should be to call a meeting of those interested and appoint provisional directors. ESTIMATED ANNUAL REVENUE. Fifty consumers, at 15,000 ft. each per annum— 7so,oooft. at 20s ... £750 o o Six public lamps, at 8000 ft. each per annntn — 48,000 ft. at 20s ... 48 0 p Residual products... ... ... 36 o b £834 o o KSTIMAIED ANNUAL EXPENDITURE. Seventy-five tons of Greymouth coal, „„ at 45s £16815 o Wages ... ... ... ... 165 o o Secretary ... ... ... ... 50 o ° Wear and tear and other expenses ... 100 o o £483 15 °

Valuation lists are announced _by advertisement for the following local bodies :— Piako County Council; Raglan, AVhaingaroa, Rangiaohia, Karioi, Newcastle, and Waitoa Road and Highway Board Districts. What curious letter is like this conundrum?— A queer E (query.) What article of a lady's jewellery names a .fish ?— Her ring. It may not be unworthy of note that as tills year began on Sunday it will end on Spnday, and will thus have a Sunday* moreTand a business day less than most years have., The same .thing happened ' one $ear when Mr'Grladstone was .Chancellor of the Exchequer and had a deficit in his revenue^ and he .attributed a' <part of Ws'deficitto'tfce. extra Sunday depriving Him of one day's rJevenae,V It is .quite ,possibythattman^peißO s ris -;w%be put .of. ttheir/fecUoning-as v to^theiryncome * next' IveaK-if tfieyftanot take\infe;a£c2pns2*K e « Y^r^^s-.^ 4 i •'..,' Vf* \" „-■ i