PROPOSAL TO LIGHT CAMBRIDGE WITH MARSDEN'S GAS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1817, 28 February 1884, Page 2

PROPOSAL TO LIGHT CAMBRIDGE WITH MARSDEN'S GAS.

StN*cu tho publication <>f our article about a weok ago detailing the features and advantages of Mr Mar-sdenV patent atmospheric g.i^> generator the question of introducing the new idea into Cambridge has received a considerable share of attention at the hands of the business public there, and wo have little hesitation in .stating, considering the favour with which the idea has been enteitained up to the present, that eie long, there is eveiy possibility of the new lijfht being in extensive u-.e in Cambridge. On the last occasion upon which we referred to this matter we gave an idea of Mr Marsden's teims for the disposal of this patent for the Waikato district, but these are _ looked upon by some of the leading business people as in a degree unworkable. A Cambridge company would prefer buying the patent for Cambridge at a reduced figure, instead of paying the price asked by Mr Marsden, and having the exclusive right for all Waikato. Again, it is thought likely that Mr Marsden will come to terms with some of the enterprising sphits of Auckland, who may purchase the patent for the entire proviuce and sell machines at a fairly reasonable price to the small country communities, companies, or private individuals, «js the ca.se may be. This is considered the better, more preferable, and most convenient course for all concerned in the use of the new generator. There are several of the leading business men in Cambiidge who would willingly pay a good piice for a machine to supply their ielective premises conjointly, out do not de->ire to have anything at all to do with the patent. About a year ago Mr H. Atkinson, of Auckland, an experienced gasworks engineer visited Cambridge, for the purpose of reporting upon the cost of supplying the town with ordinary coal gas, erecting the necessary machinery and laying down mains He estimated that the aunual expenditure of a company undertaking the work would be £483 15s, and that the income would be £834, a' profit of £350 5s on the year's working. In calculating thus he estimated there would be fifty consumers from Kirkwoods Hotel to the English Church, also six public lamps, and estimated the average conbumption of gas for each consumer at 15000, and 8000 cubic feet per annum for each lamp. He calculated the price of gas at 20s a thousand, and the cost of making at nearly 13s. Mr Marsden estimates the cost of his gas, to make, at 4s a thousand, a profit ot about 16s if Mr Atkinson's figure of 20s could be got for it. The following passage we extract from Mr At'simon's report: — With reference tot:e cost of the manufacturing and distributing plant necessary for thej-licein the event of a company being formed, I would undertake to supply and erect all necessary plant and buildings foi the manufacture of gas, supply and lay one mile of 3in qast iron main, supply and lay 15Q wrought iron service pipes, supply and oonnect to service pipes, 50 gas metres of the size required by each consumer and start the whole works in operation, for the ssuitr t of £2450." These figures ni&y be Hervieeable in calculating th* cost of Mr Marsden's generator aa (v mwax* q{ gupptying $W towu gen^Oly, ./,/',: