THE GAS WORKS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7565, 8 May 1919, Page 3

THE GAS WORKS

ENGINEER'S ANNUAL' REPORT

PROPOSALS FOR EXTENSIONS

In the course of his annual report to the Borough Council on Tuesday evening, Mr. G. D. Stone (engineer and manager) of the Gr.s Works said:

Future Requirements.—ln the neai future it will be necessary to make considerable extension to the carbonizing and distribution parts of the plant. Very little extension has been made during the last four years owing to the cost of material and wages being so high; in the meantime our output has increased by 2o per cent., consequently certain parts of the Borough and Suburbs are suffering from" a poor gas supply for the want of larger mains. I wculd suggest that an effort should be made to improve the supply in the badly affected districts as soon as .it can conveniently be done. I estimate the probable cost at £2500. Trunk .Main.—l would bring under your notice that our main supply pipe to the town is a 9-inch, main running along Taupo Quay. This ; was laid by the old company over 20 years, ago and is far too small for the gas it has to carry. The time is not far distant when, a new trunk main must be laid to assist and increase the supply to the town and suburbs. 1 would suggest that a new 12-intfh pipe be laid from the governor-house or. the Heads Road to the end of Guyion Street near the Old Cemetery and along Guyton Street, to the Avenue. I estimate the cost complete about £2300. Carbonizing Plant.— To increase the carbonizing plant is a matter that will need serious consideration. About six years ago it was decided to make improvements in the gasmaking plant; I recommend the Council to instal the continuous system of vertical retorts, which were then in the experimental stage, but the system installed has proved to be one of the best in operation, and has given every satisfaction. These retorts have been working continuously for four and a half years and are still in very good condition. One unit only was installed, with the object of testing capabilities and economic qualities in comparison with the horizontal system, but the vertical retorts have proved to be superior in every way. It was the intention at the time if the vertical proved satisfactory to instal more units. Then the war broke out and it was impossible to obtain the material. With the increase in business, we have been compelled to use the old horizontals in conjunction with verticals, and it is only a matter of a short time when both old and new carbonizing plant will be too small to meet the demand. I have not the slightest hesitation in recommending that at least two more units of continuous verticals, be installed as soun as possible. Two new units complete will cost about £26,000

As regards the extensions mentioned above, it may be the opinion or' some that owing to the olectric light being installed in "the aoar' future, extensions to the Gas Works will be unnecessary. Such is rot the case in England, America, Australia or the Dominion. The experience in Sydney is, that since the municipality installed the electric light, the Sydney Gas Company's btysiaeFa h^s increased morip quiepy than ever before. Two years ago -hey were unable to meet the demand. Nortj Sydney (North Shore) Gas Company has had the same experience. Tbey have had to build a new works costinc over £300,000 and are now contemplating further extensions whan will cost another £75,000. We find the same has been the experi^ruje in New Zealand. The Wellington (Jac Company has had difficulty in a>eeting the demand notwithstanding competition with the eleiitric light. The Christchurch Gas Company, although having to compete with the hydroelectric scheme from Lake Coleridge, did not drop quite 4 per cent, of their business and are now recovering again.

The Price of Gas for the .Current Year. —If there, is no serious advance in the- cost of coal we will be able to carry on at the present rate, but there are indications that there will shortly be another large increase in the charges for coal. I would point out, however, that our present charges per thousand feet are as low as any other Gas Works in the Dominion.