City Gas Pressure to be Boosted

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 236, 6 October 1936, Page 8

City Gas Pressure to be Boosted

NEW MAINS FOR CERTAIN LOCALITIES.

To remedy low gas pressure in various par|£ of Palmerston North at certain times of the day, tho City Council decided last night, on the recommendation of its lighting committee to lay additional mains at a total estimated cost of £1513.

Tho work proposed is as follows:

50 chains of 8-inch main in Main

street through Victoria avenue, then along Grey street to Ward street to Featlierston street .... 872 2J chains of 4-inch main in Bryant street, extending the present 4inch main through to Chelwood street, and 13 chains of 4-inch main in Lyndhurst street from the 4-inch main in Cuba street through to the 4-inch main in

Chelwood street I*lß 9 chains of 4-inch main in Here-

ford street to extend the existing 4-ineh main in that street through to couple up with the 4inch main in College street .... 79 6-ineh main in Fitzherbert avCnue

from Church street to College street 414

In a report to the lighting committee, tho gas manager (Mr. J. W. Muir) stated:—“A considerable number of complaints regarding low gas pressure in certain parts of tho city have been leceived, and on investigating, I find that it is not possible to remedy same. Tho complaints are that just at lunch time, especially on Sunday, it is almost impossible to obtain sufficient gas to cook tho dinners. Tests taken show pressures as low as two inches, which is as low as the Board of Trado regulations allows, and I havo little doubt that at certain times pressures go below this, Tho areas affected are the streets off Rangitikei street, a portion of Takaro in tho vicinity of Shamrock street, an area in the vicinity of Rougopai street, and an area in tho vicinity of South street. An examination of the plan showing the mains laid in these areas, indicates tho reason for these low pressues being due to the small size of some of the mains which have to supply not only the gas required in that particular street but also the gas for the street further on.”

Gas Supply at Massey College.

With reference to au inquiry from the Department of Agriculture as to tho possibility of using gas for heating purposes in proposed buildings at Massey College, the gas manager reported that ho had interviewed tho department and also the Registrar of the Massey College in connection therewith, and pointed out that, if the present main was taken over by the council and replaced with a main of 6-inch capacity, this would provide mains with more than four times the present supply at a cost of £425, and it would also be necessary to lay 36 chains of 4-inch main in Te Awe Awe street at a cost of £287."

It was decided that the department be advised that tho council is prepared to instal a 6-inch main in placo of the 3-inch pipe to bo taken over from Massey College, provided that tho Department of Agriculture guarantees an additional consumption through the main of gas to a value of £6O per annum for a period of ten years, subject to the council making satisfactory arrangements with Massey Agricultural College regarding the disposal of the 3-inch main.

It was further decided that the College Council be .advised of the inquiry received from the Department of Agriculture and that it be informed that tho city is willing to take over the existing 3-inch main and replace same with one of 6-inch capacity and to relieve tho College Council of the necessity for tho maintenance of the main provided the Department of Agriculture is agreeable to guarantee a certain yearly minimum consumption of gas. It was decided to put down 36 chains of 4-inch main in To Awe Awe street.