THE TIMARU GASWORKS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4717, 28 March 1876, Page 3

THE TIMARU GASWORKS.

(Tir iia.ru Herald, March 27.) The works of the Timaru Gas, Coal and Coke Company are situated on a plot of ground facing the junction of George and Arthur streets. The land, which is of about an acre in extent, has been bought Dy the Company, its central position proving very favourable for thecarrving on of operations. There are two buildings connected with the works—The first, which is built of concrete and cemented, contains the retort house, 40ft by 26ft; the station meter and exhauster room 16ft by 10ft; end the purifying room, 26ft by 16ft. The other building, which is of wood, contains the engineer’s office and the store-room and workshop, and is 30ft by 20ft. The whole of the works have been designed and carried out by Mr Henry Courtis, engineer to the company, who, previous to his present engagement, has bad very large experience in similar operations, having erected works at Echuca, South Melbourne, and other places in Australia, and at Hokitika in this Colony. He is also at present carrying out the works at Oamaru. Mr Courtis has been appointed permanent engineer and manager to the Timaru Company, a post which we are certain the company may congratulate themselves on having filled by a gentleman of Mr Courtis’ long and extensive experience. We shall now proceed to take .the different parts

of the works in detail, and giro them as full a description as possible. First, then, we come to the retort house, in which, as its name implies, are the retorts for generating the gas. There is at present only one setting of retorts, but two more are expected from England at an early date, and will be erected on arrival. The present setting is calculated to produce from 12,000 to 14,000 cubic feet of gas' per diem. From the retorts the gas is conveyed by pipes into an U shaped cast-iron hydraulic main, 18in by 16in. From this main the gas is led into the condenser, which is placed outside the retort house, and is capable of condensing 35,000 cubic feet per diem, This portion of the apparatus consists of a cast-iron box at the bottom and a series of vertical pipes. The gas, as it comes from the hydraulic main, enters the box and passes up and down through the different series of pipes, in which it is freed from all tar, which here takes a liquid shape, and from all ammonical liquor, which run through a pipe into a well, the gas making its exit by another pipe four inches in diameter, which leads it into the purifying room. Here are placed a set of four purifiers, each four feet square, and containing six tiers of wooden sieves for quick lime, through which the gas passes, and undergoes its final purification. Only three of the purifiers are used at one time, the gas passing out of one into another. The fourth is meanwhile kept off having its lime renewed, and as soon as the gas, which is tested daily, shows any signs of foulness, the extra purifier is placed on and the one through which it had hitherto passed first is taken off, and has a fresh charge of lime placed on its sieves. In this way each of the purifiers is renewed in turn. From the purifiers the gas passes through the station meter, which is contained in another room. The meter will measure up to 2000 cubic per hour, or about 25 millions per year. In the same room will be placed, when procured, an exhauster, which is used for taking the pressure off the retort, thereby enabling a much larger yield of gas to be obtained, and preventing the deposition of carbon in the retorts. From the station meter the gas goes by a four-inch pipe into another pipe with two branches—one of which runs into the present gasholder, and the other ia for a second holder when required. The present gasholder is 35 feet by 16, and its capacity about 15,000 cubic feet. The tank is built of concrete, and plastered so as to make it watertight. The columns, of which there are five, and girders, are of wrought iron lattice Work, and present a very neat and light appearance. The outlet from the gas-holder to the leading main is six inches in diameter. After leaving the holder the gas passes through the Governor, a self-acting apparatus which regulates the flow into the main according to the amount of gas which ia being consumed, and prevents undue pressure. From the governor the gas is conveyed into an 8 inch main which leads into George street. From that point it is conveyed by two branch pipes along the main North and South roads respectively, and also by a third up Arthur street to the back of the town. The main which runs up the Great South roads has been carried as far as Melville House. From it a sub-main has been taken up Church street as far as Theodocia street. The main running along the Main South road is led as far as the Commercial Hotel, and it is intended to continue it down to the Hospital. A branch from it runs up North street. The third main which follows Arthur street has been taken some distance back, and will, together with the others, be distributed in different directions as required. About three miles of mains and sub-mains have already been laid, and a fourth mile is in process of completion. There are at present over 100 consumers of gas, and 50 more orders have been received. The gasfitters are so busily engaged putting in fittings, that it will be some little time before all the orders on hand are completed. The delay has mainly arisen through the great demand for the services of the fitters caused by most of the people having deferred getting their fittings put in till the very last moment. Coming back to the works, we may notice that in tbs storeroom and workshop combined, are contained a large supply of meters and fittings, together with all the necessary tools for carrying out the operations of the company. The meters are supplied to consumers at a nominal rate, it being optional with themselves whether they use dry or wet ones. The Company have on hand a number of gascooking staves, and are prepared to supply the public with them, as also with engines. Gas for either of the above purposes will be supplied at a reduction of twenty-five per cent on the ordinary price. The total cost of the whole works, which were erected in the exceptionally short space of four months and a week, has been £6509, exclusive of the site. The coal used for gas is Greymouth, and Mr Courtis speaks in the highest terms in its praise.

The Company’s office was lit with gas for the first time on Saturday night. The result was most satisfactory, the light emitted being most brilliant, and the gas altogether proving itself of a first-rate quality. It will ba turned on for public consumption this evening, and we do not doubt for one instant that it will meet with the warmest approval.