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pagepage4Historic Gas Times%u2022 Issue 111 %u2022 June 2022 %u2022SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES. Part Two On the first night, the number of private lights burning was 181; and in less than a month 685 had been adopted. At this time, the Government had complete control of Sydney and its affairs; but in 1842 a corporation was established, which readily took advantage of the new gas-light for the purpose of lighting the city, the population of which at that time was 25,000. The works%u2019 site being on a hill-side involved the company in a large outlay for levelling for the erection of the various buildings. Rock was everywhere; the gasholder tanks (for holders of 45,000 cubic ft capacity each) being excavated out of the solid rock. Almost immediately after the works were started, Sydney experienced three years of great commercial depression, which greatly retarded the progress of the company. When this had passed, the City Council led the way with many improvements; and the gas company began to feel the benefit of the revival of trade, resulting in extensions of plant. In 1852 - the Victorian gold boom - there was a great influx of population; and up to 1861 the works grew rapidly, and a second gasholder at Haymarket Station was erected. By 1865, the storage capacity had increased from 90,000 to 295,000 cubic ft. About 1867, the Directors reclaimed the water frontage of the head station on Darling Harbour, thereby adding largely to the space available for future extensions, which eventually cost %u00a350,000. Among the apparatus adopted, was a steam stoker from England; but it was destined never to shake the nerves of the stokers, as it was lost in the Walter Hood on her way to Sydney. It was perhaps as well as the invention was not a success in England. Various small works were now run by the company, so as to accommodate gas consumers residing about the harbour. The maximum daily output during the winter of 1882 was 2 million cubic ft, and the quantity of coal used was 47,000 tons. Today 203,407 tons of coal are carbonized in the year. The growth of Sydney and its suburbs at this time was marvellous; and the Directors decided that a large outlay of capital would be required to keep pace with it. Eventually, 80 acres of land having been purchased at Mortlake, Mr. Bush took the whole of the work in hand. JBHROUND the WORLDAND SOME GAS WORKS, BY MAURICE GRAHAMThe Ryde and Camperdown District Governor Houses. View of the City Old Works (taken from the Offices)Another View of the City Gas Works