MUNICIPAL GAS WORKS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12107, 12 June 1907, Page 8

MUNICIPAL GAS WORKS.

REPORT BY THE MANAGER

THE RECENT COMPLAINTS

ANSWERED

At the meeting of the Borough Council last evening the manager of the gas works presented the following report:— Gas OiSce, Wanganui, June 7, 1907. To his Worship the' Mayor and Coun-

cillors

Gentlemen,—ln. ■complying with your instructions, I beg to submit tihe following report on the insufficient gas supply. This came through a combination, of adverse circumstances, which no individual could control. First, shortage of storage room. As some of you are aware, i'lie new largo gas holder should hlave been, completed and handed over to the Council by April 30th; whereas, the whole of the material has not yet arrived from Eng-

land Second, delay in delivery of Newcastle coal. As soon, as I could ascertain that the holder would not be delivered in time, I made arrangements to have a shipment of Newcastle coal delivered during the last week of April. Unfortunately that also failed } as the ship Alexa, which was bringing the coal was overdue five weeks through bad weather.

Third, la large increase in demand for gas and short of carbonising power. On tho arrival of fire goods from England an February I at- one© commenced to Dull down a,rnd rebuild 2 beds of retorts, but the demand for gas was so great that I could only let. one bed down at a time. Although this work was pushed' on as fast as circumstances would permit', iihe second bed was not finished and pul under fire until the Ist of June—the same day on which the Newcastle coial arrived.

Fourth, napthaline has also been a great- source of annoyance, having on several occasions suddenly appeared in the large main pipes, and almost cutting off the supply from tihe town. The cause of a bad quality of gas being sent into the town at times, similar to that which took place on Tuesday night, the j 28th. of last montli, is through there bemg only one pipe into the holder, instead of two (inlet and outlet). When two pipes 'are being used, the gas as made is sent into -the holder through the inlet, mixes, and passes tthrougli the outlet to this town a Rood even quality; whereas, when having only one pipe, the gas passes into the town as made, the quality at times varying very much Last winter some alterations were made to mix the gas through the small holder, which worked satisfactorily until naphthaline collected in tlie pipees of this holder, having then to throw it out of. action. When the new holder is put into operation this annoyance will bs avoided.

From the above you will see ample arrangements were made to meet all requirements in the increased demand for gas, had there not been such unreasonable delay in delivery of co:>l and holder. In< comparing this winter with last it may bo seen that the gas con* sumption Iras been exceptionally heavy. The greatest make of gas last year for 24 hours was 173,000 feet. This winter it has already reaehecT23o,ooo feet; the greatest output last winter for one day was 175,000 feet. This winter up to tho present it has reached 225.000 feet. We have now sufficient retorts mide-r fire to cope with any calls that may bo made during this winter.

I would take this opportunity of bringing under t-your notice that both •the'retort- houses and coal shed are too small to meet the requirements of another winter, and recommend that steps be taken to' import the necessary plant to meet the demand we anticipate. Thia will consist of fireclay goods for re-tort benches, (iron work for same, roof framing for retorb house and coal shed, washer, exhauster, etc.-, which was pro, vided. for in the last loan raised.

Aftler discussion, our report of which we are obliged to hold over _o\ving to pressure on space,: the report was adopted. The opinion was generally express* ed that Mr., Stone and his assistants had done well in- tho face of difficu:]. ties.