CITY GAS WORKS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 117, 22 May 1946, Page 7

CITY GAS WORKS

COAL CAUSES ANXIETY MORE SERIOUS LAST YEAR HIGHER COSTS INVOLVED For some years the coal supply had caused great anxiety and last year the position was more serious than at any time previously, stated the engineer and manager of the Gas Department (Mr. Stone)’. “There were times when the situation was acute, when the only coal available was that which could be borrowed from stocks held by various concerns in the city, or which could be spared from other gas works,” he added. The stock was by no means stable and on occasions coal had to be procured irrespective of cost. If not available through Castlecliff, supplies were railed either from Wellington or New Plymouth, and the rail charges were borne by the department. “The day’s bunkering was frequently delayed owing to the late arrival of railed coal, and on these occasions the position was most awkward. Out of 11,220 tons received during the year, 1.150 tons were railed from the two outside centres. With rail costs and charges over £1 per ton, it was an uneconomic proposition,” Mr. Stone stated. FINANCIAL POSITION It was pleasing to note, however, that statement of receipts and expenditure, as presented by the city treasurer, disclosed that the department has done somewhat better than was forcast in the year’s estimates. The transfer of £1,644 from the general account, liquidated last year's deficit and £2588 ls 7 lOd was received on account of a subsidy on coal approved by the stabilization commission. “I understand that a further amount of £2,564 3s lid, being the balance of coal and wages subsidy is to come. Unfortunely, it will be too late to be included in this year’s account, but had fi* been received the department's debit balance of £1,592 8s 8d would have changed to a credit balance of £917 15s 3d,” Mr. Stone added.

Under the circumstances last year it was necessary to ration gas, but fortunately this did not occur frequently. The duration of necessary low-pressure periods was made as short as possible, particularly as there were consumers at the extreme ends of the supply and who suffered a great deal of inconvenience through inadequate pressure. “Reticulation is responsible for a portion of the trouble, but the coal situation must carry the greater share of the fault,” Mr. Stone added. “District gas pressure is governed principally by the daily output of gas from the carbonisin’- plant, the quantity of gas being in turn influenced by the productivity of the coal. With ample stocks of gas the daily pressure could be increased, but when the output barely meets the demand, pressure alterations must follow. Even now, at times, with the approach of the shorter days and the consequent increased demand for gas, the plant is taxed to capacity and the long winter months are not anticipated with any degree of confidence. Every effort will be made to meet the situation but it will require all the co-operation that the consumers can give by using gas with the greatest discretion, thereby eliminating all waste. NEW PLANT DELAYED

“The delay in the installation of the six new vertical retorts is causing a great deal of apprehension. The principal cause would appear to be the industrial disorganisation which is the aftermath of war. This time last year it was anticipated that they would be in commission for the latter part of the winter for 1946, but unfortunately this will not be the case. However, some of the material is on the site, and we have also been notified that if work on the fabrification of the steel can be continued as now proceeding, this will be completed within five weeks and shipment will follow immediately. The contractor is fully aware of the urgency of the job and is making every effort* to complete the plant at the earliest possible moment.

“We are faced with the problem of having to carry on through the winter without the new plant, and of the consequent repercussions caused by the delay. The annual increase of gas consumption which has taken place over the last two years has exceeded all expectations, and this will absorb a greater portion of the capacity of th e plant than was originally thought. Also, the programme of maintenance and replacement of the present plant has been considerably upset. “If it had been possible to instal the new retorts some two or three years ago, as desired, there is no doubt that the council would be proceeding with a formulated policy of modern reconstruction of the carbonising units now in use. However, we have not had the required facilities to undertake essential repair work, and one complete unit, or 33 1-3 per cent, of the plant, is not as dependable as it should be.

“We are eagerly looking forward to the arrival of the new compressor which is needed for replacement purposes. The plant now in commission is not capable of carrying the load, particularly at the greatest peak period when the assistance of a booster is needed. The manufacturers advised us that many months must elapse between the receipt of our order and the delivery of the plant. “With the new carbonising plant and the compressor in commission, most of the pressure faults should be eliminated, but. should it be necessary to enlarge some mains to give complete satisfaction, the expense will not be excessive.” REVENUE SUMMARY The summary given below sets out the revenue from the main sources over the past two years and the number of appliances sold during that period. The amounts are given to the nearest £1:

department, is progressing, notwithi standing the pegging of prices, and that the sale of appliances is being maintained at the standard of past years,” Mr. Stone added. “It is generally admitted that, under the changing world conditions of the past few years, expenditure has been rather difficult to forecast. The statement of expenditure shows that certain items have exceeded the estimates. The main factor responsible I for this was the wage increase granted to the staff during the year. This increase was anticipated and a sum

of £3OOO was placed on the estimates as a separate item to meet it. but. the actual cost of the wage increase is included in the various items of expenditure The overall expenditure has remained within the limits of the estimates," Mr. Stone added.

1944-45 1915-46 £ £ Gas 47,689 51,104 Coke . 11,670 11,866 Tai5,064 5,328 Fittings 5,851 5,731 Cookers 6,315 5,729 £76.589 £79,758 1944-45 1945-46 Cookers 186 219 Waler Heaters, 111 121 Fires 70 . 45 Coppers xs 36 New Services . 33 31 “The above table shows that the