RAVENSBOURNE'S GAS REQUIREMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 12164, 7 April 1904, Page 8

RAVENSBOURNE'S GAS REQUIREMENTS.

THE GAS ENGINEER'S ESTIMATE,

Mr H. B. Courtis (gas engineer) has furnished the following report to the City Council on the cost of the proposed extension of the gas supply to Ravensbourne, in which be says : I may say that the mayor (Mr Cray) is evidently in real earnest in his endeavor to light his borough, and with coal gas if possible. He hag had two outside offers—one from Mr Watt, of Balciutha, the other fioin Mr Curham, manager of the Port Chalmers gasworks. These gentlemen k<ive made certain definite proposals, which include the erection of works for manufacture of gas, also the reticulation of the town; but Mr Cray thinks that it is only a matter of a short time when his borough may be included in Greater Dunedin, and that the City should have the first refusal of supplying gas, and is prepared to grant a sole license for twenty-one years. Mr Cray bo.s written you at my suggestion, placing on record the terms upon which the concession is to be granted, and these appear eminently favorable, though I now find that he has reduced the interest he proposed to pay on capital outlay from 6 per cent, to 5 per cent. The amount should, I think, ccrer bank interest, say 4-£ per cent., and 1$ per cent, sinking fund. The profit on gas to be debited with depreciation, etc. Mr Cray estimates that there are 150 houses which might use gas; of these, 120 (Ravensbourne and Rothesay Wards) would be certain consumers. There will he about twenty-five street lamps. I have gone carefully into the cost of this extension. and reticulating the* whole of fhe streets shown by Mr" Cray, and, including the supply main, which must be taken from Castle street along Union street, it amounts to £3,217. This however, will not be exceeded, and may be reduced as the work proceeds. Mr Cray thinks my estimate high, compared with the others, which he says were about £7€o less; but I do.not think so myself. I have taken mains at £8 per ton and wrought-iron pipes at 50 per cent, off list, and allowed 22s per chain for trenching. If tenders were called for the pipes it might be possible to save £1 per ton, but the local price is £lO. Meters are taken at their list price. I have allowed an average of 250 ft for each service, some of which, no doubt, would he paid for by the consumers, but the borough will pay interest_on the outlay. °