GAS WORKS AT MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 112, 15 May 1941, Page 7

GAS WORKS AT MARTON

TOWN CLERK’S REPORT GROSS PROFIT OF £1591 “In submitting the trading accounts of the gasworks undertaking for the year ended March 31, 1941, general information relating to this department’s activities, is briefly reviewed.” stated the town clerk of Marton, Mr. C. C. McDonald, in a report to the Borough Council. “The gas manufacture account returned a gross profit on the year's working of £1591 7s. A loss is shown on the fittings and services account, but in considering this account it must be noted that fittings and appliances sold during the year on conditional purchase agreements only appear in respect of the cash return for the period under review and not in actual total. "The profit, and loss account, shows a net profit of £152 17s, while the sum transferred to the accumulated fund after payment of interest and principal charges of £227 6s 8d amounts to £382 0s 7d.

"It was necessary to transfer from 1 Tie general account to the gas working account the sum of £456 10s 3d. and this was due to the department's policy of holding in reserve as much coal as storage would permit. At the commencement of the year coal in stocks amounted to 80 tons, and at the close of the financial year 230 tons were In stock. “Gas Sales. —The steady increase in the sale of gas over the past four years has been maintained and sales for the year ended March 31. 1941. reached 9.046,500 cubic feet, an increase of 6.3 per cent, on 1939-40. An actual increase in sales on the figures for 1936-37 of 52.5 per cent. “In spite of the reduced charges the net. return on the total gas sold equals 7s 11.5 d per 1000 cubic feet net. The sale of gas for the year per ton of coal carbonised equals 11,955 63 cubic feet, and indicates that the plant was operating efficiently. Gas manufactured and unaccounted for, being lost in delivery to the consumers, equals 698,000 cubic feet or 7.71 per cent of the total gas manufactured. Sales of Appliances “The total sales of appliances during the year totalled £959 7s 3d, representing the sale of 29 cookers, 20 gas fires and six sundry' appliances. For the year ending March 31, 1941, 76 cookers, four gas fires and six vlifonts are on the council’s books on conditional purchase agreements. During the same period 21 comers and two fires have been fully paid off. Residuals “The sale of residuals has again shown an increase and the department has a ready sale for coke far in excess of the amount being produced. The actual sales for the year amounted to £1054 2s 2d, the highest level reached for many years. The maintenance of footpaths absorbed the greater portion of the tar produced, sales being restricted to small lots. Having regard to the excellent quality of the local coke, the heavy demand, and the increase in manufacturing costs and freight charges, it would appear that a small increase in charges is warranted, and it is recommended that the price be increased to 3s 6d per bag or £3 5s per ton.”