HAMILTON GASWORKS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14711, 28 July 1921, Page 6

HAMILTON GASWORKS

THE YEAR'S WORKING. SUBSTANTIAL PROFIT SHOWN. In his annual report to the Hamilton Borough Council on liie operations of (lie gasworks, Mr L. Blackman, m.uiXow that ihe statement of accounts for year ending March -list last is available, I am able lo report on ihe year's workimr. and beg to enclose herewith a summary of coal carbonised and gas made and delivered for Hie above mentioned 1? months and to report as follows: The year’s working lias been satisfactory—fi.-iK7.500 cubic feet more gas has been made Ilian in Ihe preceding 12 months, an increase of 18.0 per rent; G. 478.000 cubic feet mor gas iias been registered through consumers’ meters, an increase of 20.7 per cent: unaccounted for gas is less by 87,000 cubic feet, a decrease of 2.7 per coni. This amount is satisfactory, and considering the large extent, of main reticulation and lengthy services, is fairly low. The total quantity of coal used was 3400 tons, gas delivered 42,450,000 cubic feet, sold to consumers by meter and through street lamps 38,833,000 cubic feet, used on works showroom, etc., 560,100 cubic foot, unaccounted for 3.0G0.000 cubic foot.

The cost of coal per 1000 cubic feet sold, which was in 1918-10 3s i.3d per 1000 cubic feet, and in 10 19-20 3s 5.5 d, rose in 1020-21 to 5s i.7d. an increase of Is 11 Jd per 1000 cubic feet over 1019-20, and 2 S 3UI per 1000 cubic feet over 1918-19; Hie net result of this is that there was paid for coal in the 12 months under review £3750 more than would have been paid under 1919-20 prices, and £4400 more Ilian under 1918-19 prices. Labour and material chargeable lo revenue account lias increased by 2Jd per 1000 cubic feet. I am glad to be able to report that full supplies of New Zealand coal arc now available, and I hope that this year’s operations will show a considerable decrease in the cost of coal, 'flic above has been a serious handicap on the finances of the gas department. Added to this lias been the price of gas-mains and piping; pipes (hat before ttic war cost £25 now cost £llO, and have been as high as £150: meters, too, have increased in cost proportionally. All this with Hie inability of the Council to raise the gas loan authorised has eventual ed in the late stringency, which is now overcome to a large extent,, and which I hope will disappear in the course of a few months. The 12 months under review has been a period of much anxiety in regard to coal supplies, but the department has been able to give a continual and full supply all the time. We have had to use all sorts and qualities of coal; this has militated against a good production of gas per ton of coal used, but the decrease has only averaged 270 ft per ton. lam now working the retorts at almost their full capacity. I am not sure what effect the coming of tlie Hora Hora electricity supply will have. I expect that it will stop the increase of consumption for some three or four years. This will be as well, as prices may be stabilised by the time more extensions arc needed. I have j put No. 4 bed under fire this winter;] the mountings for this bed were ordered two years 'ago, and the order lias only recently been completed, and now the bridge pipes have been sent wrong. I have had lo mount Ihc bed with all sorts of odds and ends that 1 had on Hie works, as I could not do without it tins winter.

A new water-lube condenser has been erected, and replaces the old aircooled condenser. There have been no other additions or replacements in the works. All Hie buildings and machinery have been kept in good order and condition. The following are mains that have been laid during the year;—Corner Anglesca street and Bridge street lo River road, 26J chains din; Willoughby street, 13 chains 3in; St. Winifred’s Avenue, 2 chains 3in; Myrtle street, 5 chains 3in; Hall street, 5 chains 3in; Manning street, 61 chains Sin; Mill street, 41 chains 3in. All the above at a total cost of £7BO 17s 4d. There have been laid 29") services during the year. In laying them llicrc lias been used 26,517 ft |in, 5833 ft tin, 1003 ft 1-Jin, and 404 ft 2in pipe, all at a total cost of £1579 12s lid. The Ford motor truck has been a good investment; I have kept a careful account of Hie work and cost. It lias run 2156 hours at a total cost of £392. This amount includes £lO3 15s allowed for wear and tear and depreciation; 2156 hours’ hiring at 7s per hour, which is the lowest rale I cotild hire a truck for, would have cost £704, so the price of the truck has been recouped in 12 months. Expenditure on extensions for the next 12 months will be, I think, very little: there are mains and service pipes enough in stock for this period. If the Hora Hora current stops Hie increase of gas sold no extensions of gasworks plant will be needed; if the consumption increases the Council will need lo consider extensions of gasmaking and purification plant. I will report on this later if needful.

The statement of accounts for the year show a profit from the working account of £500! 12s 7rl, and from the fillings account of £7lO 10s lid, making a total gross profit to appropriation account of £57 in J2s Oil. Of (his amount £3385 ills 9d goes to pay interest and sinking fund, and the balance (£2350 13s Od) has been used in extensions of plant, mains, services and melers. in the 10 years of the Borough ownership of the gasworks £lO,780 lias been thus used out of the profits owing to the exceedingly quick growth of the town. If the town had only grown half as quickly I here would have been by now a good sum as a rasli reserve; as it is, it lias saved the raising of loans, hut at the same time it has kept tile price of pas high and ready money short. Considering the high capital charges the policy lias been a wise one, and but for the war and exceedingly high prices of late years there would now have been a cash reserve. In conclusion, T would like to acknowledge with thanks Hie assistance of the chairman and members of the flas Commit lee, and also the work of the staff, both clerical and workmen, and In thank the staff for the assiduous attention to their various duties and the willing help and assistance given, whirh in the strenuous lime we have passed through have aided materially in the harmonious and efficient working of the gas department.