The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-09
LOCAL MATTERS.

OUR CITY lrAS-N 0RkS-a w ELL-iADMlNlS-
TERED CITY ESTABLISnMENT-A NEW IN
yENTIoN INTRODUCED.-Among our CITY III
stitutions there arc none more prontaDle 10
the corporation, and at the same time better
conducted. than our City Gas-W orks.
Where such necessary 'adiuncts to the pub
lie comfort as gas and water are controlled
by the city itself there is generally some fear
of a conflict between the Council commit
tees and the practical administrators. This
is generally the case in the large communl-
ties OF our country, but Richmondls entirely
free from anything OF this kind. This may
be attributed to the perfect understanding
existing between the administrative and ex-
ecutive branches Of our light-making de-
partment.
A recent visit to our Gas-W orks has con-
vinced us that they are rs well managed as
any in the country. Upon entering The
ward in company with, John II. hnoWles,
ESQ. superintendent OF the works, we met
with Mr. w. c. Adams, the efficient fore
man OF the works, and while proceeding to
inspect them were confronted by John NJ.
Higgins, Esq. the chairman of the Light
Committee, who spends as much time about
the Gas-Works as at his place OF business.
We were then shown into the retort-room,
where the heated furnaces reminded us OF
the place where many OF us may spend our
next Centennial. We found that the retorts
over the ovens had been increased, so that
there are now four retorts where there used
to be three. The consumption OF coal is the
same, the results arc the same; so that there
is an increase of production OF twenty
five per cent. In years past there has been
much complaint about the gas-tar in Shockoe
creek. BY an invention OF the foreman the
tar is now utilized as fuel, and 10000 Dtlsh-
els of coke are annually saved. The water
that runs from the works into the river Is
now as clear Us that from spring, and the
| only evidence that there ever was gas-tar In
the water is contained in the black lines III
the arch under Main street. Fishermen are
much pleased at this, because where they
used to catch only those yellow fish called
..whiskey straight" " they now catch silver
perch and cats.
| There are now forty-four retorts used IN
the works, which yield 100000 cubic feet
every twenty-four hours. The coal used Is
| from Coal Valley, w. Va, which yields 4-5S
! cubic feet per pound, with an illuminating
power OF seventeen candles. This coal
| looks like solid Jumps OF tar, its seams
stand out in bold relief, and one would take
il to be as rich in gas as an Indiana Repub-
lican senator. 1t shows a yield Of gas greater
than any coal ever used before. The highest
VlclQ ever aItallcu ucltloloIS HIS Dceia o.oo
cubic feet per pound.
A new and useful invention has lately
been introduced in the shape OF Brooks s
Patent Alarm Pressure-Gauge. When the
pressure is too much on the pipes an alarm
rings, and if the engineer is not on duty a
mcneil records the fact on n paper indicator.
| This is the first one OF these patent gauges
everAsed in the South, and second everused
at all. They are generally adopted in all
the eas-works through Che country.
The puriiging-house is quite feature
about the works, especially il ones elfac-
tory nerves are delicate. 1t is worked to
Derfeetien, although it does not smell like
beaches or strawberries. The lime that ls
left from the purifying-house is found to be
by farmers a most excellent fertilizer, and
is sold as fast as it is emptied from the re-
ceivers.
The committee is now engaged with plans
and specimens for o new office for the SUI
perintendent, new blacksmlth-shop, and
Sheds for storing material.
A record is kept OF every pound OF coal
used and every foot OF gas made. Inc
workmen seem we'll satisfied to delHe III at
hmosphere that requires cool oatmeal water
to keep them up. The coke they rake out
OF the ovens at 1850 in their seanf shade
sells at the lew rate of eight cents per
bushel. The works are IN good condition,
and our city has reason to be proud OF that
| gas that PAYS its own way.