Page 4 - Demo

Historic Gas Times%u2022 Issue 113 %u2022 December 2022 %u2022page4In QueenslandFrom Sydney, the writer travelled onto the fifth and last state of Australia, Queensland. This beautiful semi-tropical state, covering an area of 700,000 square miles and having only a population of 700,000 people, may be considered the youngest of the five states. The climate inland in the summer season is a dry heat, whereas on the coastal belt the rainy season brings with it a humid atmosphere, which is very objectionable to Europeans, although not more so than in Ceylon and Burmah. Close to the seashore, however, the winds make the climate perfectly delightful ; the winter months from May to August being quite balmy.Every inducement is given to the emigrant and %u201cnew chum %u201d to centre his thoughts upon this state, which abounds in rich soil suitable for growing grain, sugar cane, and for the grazing of cattle. Land is cheap and easily obtainable; and when once cleared profitable results quickly follow. In the northern part of Queensland, there are thousand of acres lying idle, waiting for those who are willing to invest a small capital of (say) %u00a3200 or %u00a3300, and at the same time is prepared for hard work. For any men with grit, determination, and perseverance, %u2018there are large fortunes awaiting them. The railway track in Queensland is built on the narrow-gauge (3 ft. 6 in.) system, and unfortunately is not of the same gauge as that of the adjoining state. However, as the population and revenue are so small, the lowest possible outlay was decided upon. Brisbane and its Gas-Works When the writer visited the capital, Brisbane, which has a population of 60,000 people, he was greatly struck with its. Colonial appearance, which is more noticeable than in any other town visited in Australasia.The city is straggling and its wooden bungalows are in no way crowded together. Each is enclosed in its own ground or paddock. The roads are roughly made, and merely macadamized in thecentre; leaving the grass to grow at the sides and on the footpaths. The ugly rough-hewn telegraph posts are put up anywhere and everywhere, and disfigure the city and spoil the best buildings.Brisbane is entirely dependent for its prosperity upon what is known as its %u201cback country,%u201d as its exports are entirely agricultural. After seeing the various sights, the writer made his usual call at the gas-works, which belong to the Brisbane Gas Company. The first works were established in the year- 1864, and were situated on the river bank at Petrie Bight, near the centre of the city. A small retort-house, pipe condensers and other apparatus and a 45,000 cubic feet gasholder, were put up. As the consumption increased, second and third gasholders were erected; bringing the storage up to 595,000 cubic feet.About 1885, it became necessary to look out for a new site for works. The suburb of Newstead was chosen; and about 20 acres of land were acquired. Any apparatus worth removing from the %u2018old site%u2019 was moved; and one of the, holders was reerected as a station holder in another district. Here the writer had the pleasure of shaking hands with Mr. J. H. Tomlinson, the Chief Engineer, who is well J known among the gas fraternity as the John Bull of Australia and right well he deserves the title, for a more genial and pleasant man one could not wish to meet. He entered the service of the Gas Company as Chief Engineer in 1879%u2014being the successful candidate out of 88 applicants, who were nearly all Englishmen; so there must have been a rush for the Colonies in those days. At that time, he held an appointment under Mr. Corbet Woodall, who was then Resident Engineer at the Phoenix Gas-Works, London.For the last half year there was a net amount to the credit of the profit and loss account of %u00a313,732, out of which a dividend of 5% per cent. was paid and a balance of %u00a34492 carried forward. A healthy financial state of affairs is indicated by the considerable amounts written off for reserves and renewals of holders, retort-beds, and meters. What a contrast this is to some electric light companies!Turning now to the Newstead works, the writer can say that no money has been wasted on elaborate ornamentation of buildings. Mr. Tomlinson rightly bore in mind the high price of labour%u2014 bricklayers getting 125. to 153. per day of eight ROUND the WORLDAND SOME GAS WORKS, BY MAURICE GRAHAMThe Foreman and his houseThe approach to the gas-works at Newstead.