CURHAM, ROBERT. — Private, Co. B, Thirteenth Artillery; transferred to Co 1, Sixth Artillery, June 27, 1865; mustered out with company, August 24, 1865, at Washington, D. C. -Roster of the 6th Artillery.
THE Gas Works.— Mr Robt. Curham, of Greymouth, was yesterday appointed working manager of the Wanganui Gas Works. -Wanganui Chronicle, 5/10/1881.
The big gooseberry season is over, and we have now to look round for other monstrosities. The latest is a large double sunflower grown by Mr Curham, Gas Company's manager, which is now on view in Mr Cordoza's window where it has attracted much attention. It measures 12 inches across. -Wanganui Herald, 2/2/1888.
THE TOWN IN DARKNESS.
An accident, which promises to involve serious loss to the Wanganui Gas Company, took place at the Gas Works at about 11 o'clock in the morning of yesterday, when the gasometer containing the whole of the gas in store, collapsed. Mr Curham, the manager at the works, states that whilst he was engaged in the yard about 11 a.m. yesterday, a gust of wind caught the gasometer and canted it over so that one side was raised above the surface of the water in the tank. The gas of course began to escape rapidly through the aperture, and Mr Curham immediately went to examine the spot. He found that the bottom of the gasometer was resting on the edge of the tank; and his efforts to force it back into its proper position with a crowbar were in vain. The thing was just about full, and contained about 35,000 cubic feet of gas. The whole of this was belched forth in a fraction of a minute, and the gasometer was left a dreadful wreck, and in a condition something resembling a well battered kerosene tin. The western portion was resting with the base on the edge of the tank and the top high in the air, whilst on the other side the top was about on a level with the ground. The holder, or gasometer, has apparently been badly fitted originally, and it is to this defect that the accident is due. The guiding wheels have been allowed too much play, and the best of them were many inches from the posts upon which they are supposed to rest. The holder itselt also fits too loosely into the tank, and instead of being only a few inches from the walls of the tank the space between the two is something like a foot and a half. With so much play the holder of course was liable to swing with the wind, especially in the winter months when it has to be kept pretty well filled to supply the increased demand for gas. Thus when gas is most wanted and high winds are most prevalent, the present gasometer with its absurdly loose fittings is most likely to be toppled over, because, being full, it presents an unusually large surface for the wind to blow against. About ten years ago a similar accident occurred, though the damage was not so serious.
If the gasometer can be got back to its old position, and to anything like its old shape, it is expected that the damage will not exceed £l50. A gang of a score or so of men were got to work as soon as possible to replace the holder, and by dark last night the lower portion, which had been down at the bottom of the tank, had been lifted about half way up. In this work four winches were used, and the mishapen bulk was gradually raised by means of ropes passed through pulleys and attached to the top of the iron framework surrounding the tank. It is hoped that the gasometer will be placed in position again to-day, and an effort will be made to have the gas on for to-night, but whether it will be successful or not is extremely doubtful. -Wanganui Chronicle, 31/8/1892.
PRESENTATION TO MR R. CURHAM
To-day Mr Robert Curham severs bis connection with the Wanganui Gas Company, of which he has been manager for the long term of nineteen years. He has proved himself a faithful and capable servant to the Company, and has given them entire satisfaction, so much so that by way of bonus they have granted him leave of absence till March next, at the end of which month the Corporation will take over the works, which, in the meantime will be carried on under the supervision of Mr J. H. Ensoll, the Company's foreman. This afternoon. Mr Curham was presented by the employes of the Gas Company with a useful Gladstone travelling bag, with name inscribed thereon, as also with a beautiful travelling rug, with handle strap inscribed. Mrs Curham was also the recipient of a handsome silver teapot and tray. The presentation was made by Mr Johnston, senior employe of the Company, and accompanying the gifts was the following letter: —
Wanganui, 22nd October, 1901. To Mr Curham, Wanganui. Dear Sir, — We, the undersigned employes of the Wanganui Gas Company, desire to express our feeling of regret on the occasion of your leaving Wanganui. During the years we have been employed by the Gas Company and under your able managership, we have always found in yourself a kind and considerate master and faithful friend, and although you have never failed to be closely attentive to the interests of the Gas Company, still we, as employes under your charge, have many times had occasion to be thankful for the kind and solicitous attention you have bestowed upon us. We beg of you to accept the accompanying small tokens of our regard for the welfare of both yourself and Mrs Curham, and trust that both of you in your new home will experience many happy years, and a long uninterrupted period of robust health and prosperity. Again thanking you for your many kindnesses, and wishing yourself and Mrs Curham perfect health, happiness, and success, we are, dear sir, sincerely yours, J. Johnston, J. Peters, H.. Whincop, D. Ball, H. Gill, C.Nargel, W. Taylor, D. Shaw, A. Moon, W. Murray, E. Pull, O. Arnoldt, J. Earles, L. Nixon, T. Mitchell, J. Buckingham.
In reply Mr, Curham said: — I thank you more for your kindly sentiments expressed than for your presents, although I shall also value them as memorials of yourselves and Wanganui. During the years we have been together we have always worked with unanimity. We started 19 years ago with two men and a. boy, one of whom, my friend Mr Johnstone, is with us to this day. To-day there are 17 men. With the change of policy which I initiated four years ago has come about a remarkable growth in the business. Then we were making 10 millions, now 26 million cubic feet of gas. Of course I could not. have done this, but for your co-operation, for which I now thank you. Especially would I thank Mr Ensoll, who has proved himself an able and hearty seconder of all my movements in connection with the business. Had the Company gone on next year, the price of gas would have been reduced; as it was our intention to leave no stone unturned to bring the price down to that pertaining in the larger centres of New Zealand. I trust you will all serve the Corporation, and am sure if you do, that you will prove as good servants to them as you have to the Company. Again I thank you for your presents."
The meeting concluded with hearty cheers for Mr and Mrs Curham.
Mr Curham also received from Mr Ensoll a very handsome present in the shape of a combined timepiece and weather-glass (clock, barometer; and thermometer), bearing the following inscription on a silver plate: — "From John Ensoll to his old chief, Mr B. Curham, Wanganui 1901."
On Thursday evening the congregation of the Gospel Hall, of which religious body Mr. Curham has been one of the most prominent, energetic, and useful members, tendered a farewell to Mr and Mrs Curham, and presented the former with pair of gold spectacles.
On Monday Mr Curham and family leave for Wellington, en route to Port Chalmers, where he takes over the management of the Gasworks. Mr Curhm leaves Wanganui with the best wishes for his future welfare. -Wanganui Herald, 26/10/1901.
After taking up his appointment at Port Chalmers, Mr Curham offered his services in bringing the benefits of coal gas to Ravensbourne, Waimate and Temuka. The Ravensbourne offer was declined, the Borough wishing to give first refusal to the City of Dunedin in anticipation of future incorporation.
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Enjoyed that, ta. Good research.
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