Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-07
CITY AT "A IR 9.
PORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LIGHT.


Council that the Gas Works authorised to be erected
BY an ordinance passed the 18th March, 1850, went
into operation the 22d day of February last, with
forty five piva consumers OF Gas, having 900 burners
consuming over 10 0C0 cubic feet per night and AGO
public street lamps. We have now U9th OF March,
ITO private consumers, with 1852 burners consuming
over cubic feet per night 4S public and Is private
street lamps and 81 applicants tor gas not yet sup
Piled
The whole cost of the Works, including S944 AZ for
expenses for generation of gas since the works
went into operation and money in hand-pad, now due
and estimated to be done, amounts to $lS4 3b4 W,
from which should be deducted (see Inventory Book the
value Of the stock hand for the further prosecution OF
the works, and the bills payable to the city for work
done tor the State and private individuals, amounting
in the aggregate, to 1896 OF, leaving $l74 1868 So
the OF the works. including Tor the purchase of
lots and filling up the same-S23 COZ 46, this sum, when
deducted from the aggregate cost, leaves Sl5l 500 AZ
for construction, from this amount the committee think
that 1914 AZ tor current expenses above referred to- and
81 1926 Cd for stone and brick pavement in streets
should be deducted as it is charge not made by the
city to the Water Works and not taken into the esti
mate for the Gas Works. fthese sums be substraced
the nett cost would be SASS 81 exceeding the esl-
mate for the same by $l264l 81, or less than per
tngent work and expenses being higher than the es-
mates, based such estimates were northern prices
by the work being delayed so as to throw large por
ton of into winter when the days much shorter
by the salaries OF the officers and agents, and the
of office and steam engine being necessarily continued
much longer than contemplated for like For
Diet ais the committee refer the Council TO the report
OF the Engineer and the accompanying documents and
would respectfully but urgently recommend to the
Council the adoption OF the suggestions therein contain
ed.
1t is indispensable that another tier ofreto benches
should be at erected and prepared for USE in
all probability the demand for gas in the long nights OF
the next winter could not be supplied by the present
number OF retorts. They would further recommend
the appointment, as soon as practicable as the neces-
permanent officers,
of the works on the lot-an Inspector and Cerk-and
that ordinance be passed regulating the duties OF the
last named and requiring security for their proper per-
Torrance. They would recommend, also, the purchase
of horse and cart for the of the Works.
An extension OF the pipes in some streets is much
that purpose;-al extensions alter the present year.
your committee confidently believe, may be made
from the profits of the work, exclusive OF the charges
on it tor interest and sinking fund.- The committee,
for the expenditures above advised recommend that
the Chamberlain issue certificates OF debt to an a.
mount not exceeding $500 900 Gncuding those now
issued on account OF Gas Works0 under the same
previous issues for the like purpose.
Your Committee cannot close their report without |
congratulang the Council and their Fellow citizens,
on the more than anticipated success of the work
placed under their charge. They deem it but act
Of JUSTICE and take great pleasure in its performance,
express their entire satisfaction with the manner in
which the Eengneers and their Assistants have per-
formed their duties; and especially with the industry
skill, judgment and fidelity. of the Principal Engineer,
Mr.. A. H. Vancleve, who has he'd nsafly the whole
OF the planning and construction of the Works under
his immediate charge and responsibility
All Of which is respectfully submitted,
LEWIS w. CHAMBERLAYNE, Chairman.
March 10, 1851.
To L. w. CHAMBERLAyNE, M. D.,
Chairman OF Committee on Light:
DEAR S1R-In obedience to your instructions, l here
with submit statement OF the of constructing the
different branches OF the City Works, showing the
sums paid, and those remaining unpaid together with
estimate for such unfinished work have been d.
rected by the Committee and not executed for want OF
mateal embracing the ishing the Poriiying house
and Offices, Retort house, Gas holder and Tank. Coal
and expenses ofaying 1878 feet OF inch man and
$50 feet OFF, inch. with 70 public lamps posts and fit
ngs required by the Ordinances controlling the erection
of the Works.
Ihave made no estimate Of the future cost of service
pipe and fittings, the amount of which must depend on
the demand which demand may be supplied with pro
pe,y from heEcurren receipts OF the Works, after the
deem the erection of the walls around the yard, and
the coal sheds, important for the safety and economical
management OF the works, and would respectfully re-
commend their completion as soon as material can be
procured Tor that purpose ,,o,n.n-,.~. =,
The ne1 nip ht" wheb ADJ
etd o nls $50 public lamps ordered by Common
Council, will bring the consumption during the dark
nights to 10000 cubic feet 1t is, threore, sefevdent
that the commencement of the next winter will require
L
would, therefore, respectfully urge upon your Commit
tee the proprety of laying before the Honorable Com
mon Council the necessity OF making immediate prepar-
alton for erecting the eight additional benches that the
Walls may have time 10 dry and be in working condi-
ton without forcing them) supply any emergency
created either by accident, and tear or the in
crease demand for Gas.
map has been prepared from actual survey ofthose
parts of the City, through which the Street Mains have
been laid with the beginnings and endings OF the var
sizes of pipe; the position of The lamp posts and
drps together with the attitudes at the crossings Of
streets above the level of the Gas holder marked on
it; and book of reference to this map (Which here
with submD has been written out, giving the location
of the different sizes OF pipe branches and drips, with
explanatory notes relative to them.
also submit to you the inventory book, in which
you will find detailed accounts OF the stock of tools and
material l,l /: The service pipe, fittings and
lamp posts furnished the State Government for the
Capitol and the public grounds and to private ndvi
duals all of which legitimate credits the
sructon accounts the aggregate of which please find
in the following statement made out from the books by
Mr.. Denoon.
There has been laid up to this time,
COB Lneal Feet of 10 Inch Street Mains
1857 +" 10 "
1905 Z" 6