10 July, 1919.] Beet Sugar Industry. 405 



counterbalance the disadvantages. Estimates of cost of working a 5,000-ton 

 press juicery liave, therefore, been prepared, as follows: — 



Phkss Juicery (Stationary). 



5,000-ton capacity; working three shifts a day for 104 days, 48 tons daily; 



84% extraction. 



Beet, 8.66 tons, at 279. 6d. .. .. £11 18 



Labour (including weighing) .. .. 2 4 9 



Managing Engineer, 16s. 8d. a day dur- 

 ing the campaign . . . . . . 3 



after the campaign, 5s. Od., less 2s. lid. 



charged to repairs . . . . . . 3 10 



Freights, 7s. 5d.; bags, 5s. 4d. .. •• 12 9 



Supplies . . . . . . 5 



Interest, depreciation, and repairs.. .. 12 7 



757f, EHiciency. 40% Efficiency. 



Fuel— Wood. Coal. Wood Coal. 



£0 ]'.) (i £16 8 a 16 10 E2 10 4 



Totals .. ..17 8 5 17 15 7 18 5 IS 19 3 



Less 1,386 tons piilj) 

 at 10s. . . 13 10 13 10 13 10 13 10 



16 14 7 17 1 9 17 11 11 18 5 5 

 Contingencies, 7^% 151 158 104 175 



Total costs .. £17 19 8 £18 7 5 £18 18 3 £19 12 10 



Capital. — The estimate of capital is based mainly on a quotation for the 

 machinery at post-v/ar rates from Messrs. Robison Brothers, who made the experi- 

 mental plant 24 years ago, and still have the drawings. The cost of plant and 

 building, together Avith working capital, is estimated at £7,964. 



Repairs are charged at 52 per cent, instead of 5 per cent, as in the previous 

 case. 



Managing Engineer.— The manager would not require a knowledge of any 

 chemical tests, and would, therefore, receive a .somewhat smaller salary; £250 a 

 year has been allowed. 



Water. — Water has not been charged for. The press juicery would require 

 much less water than the infusion juicery. It has been assumed that the juicery 

 would be erected close to a sufficient water supply. Water is generally plentiful 

 about the winter season, when alone juiceries would operate. 



Fuel. — As press juice would ho. less than infusion juice less evaporation would 

 be required; therefore, less fuel would be used, also a little less fuel would be 

 needed for power. 



Pulp. — This pulp, which is more like press-cake than watery pulp, contains 

 from 40 to 42 per cent, solid matter, and Mr. Pearson gives it a fuel value of not 

 less than 28s. 6d. per ton. Infusion pulp, when drained down to half its original 

 weight, would contain only 9' per cent, solids. The Maffra pulp, which in parts 

 shrinks in time to much less than half original weight, and may contain from 

 8 to 20 per cent, solids, is sold at 23. per ton. It is admitted that its food value 

 should command a higher price, but dairy farmers require educating regarding 

 its value, and, in the meantime, it would be unwise to assume a price that could 

 not be obtained for some years. The Committee considers that 10s. is the maxi- 

 mum price tliat could generally be secured at present. 



Contingencies. — As the uncertainties of the press juicery Avould be "reater 

 than with infusion, 7^ per cent, is allowed for contingents, instead of 5 per cent, 

 as in the previous case. 



