72 
In connection with these undertakings, the career of the 
Burnley Gas Light Company is most interesting. This Company 
was established in January, 1823, with a subscribed capital of 
£4,500, in 450 shares of £10 each. Works were erected, and 
the town was first lighted with gas in February or March, 1824. 
The Company obtained an Act in 1826, by which they were in- 
corporated, and their capital increased to £7,200, in 600 shares 
of £12 each. They obtained the sum of 3,800 on mortgage of 
their works in 1845. The first dividend was paid 1827. The 
Company supplied the public lamps ata charge (for the first 18 
years) of £2 15s. per lamp. In 1842 the price was reduced to 
£2 12s. 6d.; in 1849, to £2 7s. 6d.; and in 1858, to £2 4s., at 
which price it remained till the works were relinquished to the 
Commissioners. The price of gas charged to the consumers was 
as follows :— 
per 1,000 ft. 
10s. Od. 
DSZA GOP USL ie atette wre Wo vhetsietdienW afelntes e's 
(dis. from 5 to 40 p.c.) 
1842 to 1844 a. reccevescenee cecsenes 8s. 4d. to 5s. Od. 
(according to consumption.) 
CY Beers onotaouscdowaio oolicDemogaew 6s. Od. 
DBAG erate ateveloseict ainuatelefesehateteteleheyoroyet Tere 6s. Od. to 5s. Od. 
(according to consumption.) 
1847, tO 1849). £3, crete .shrwusts 2 oinyerepeloynm's 6s. Od. to 4s. 6d. 
1850 to 1852... oc ce sec eve nsas ee 5s. Od. to 4s. Od. 
SSS T(Tanuary) tics aslaels teres 4s. 6d. to 3s. 6d. 
1853 (July) to 1854 (Oct.) .......... 3s. Od. 
UGE (OE) Var ssencosoanobon oneoae 3s. 6d. 
The price of coal in 1854 was 8s.10d. per ton; the same 
quality is now charged 15s.5d perton. The financial result of the 
company must have been very satisfactory to the shareholders. 
From the time they obtained the Act in 1827, to the dissolution of 
the company in 1855—a period of 28 years—they received in divi- 
dends on each £12 share the sum of £87 2s. 6d., or an average 
dividend of £1 6s. 6d. being equal to about 11 per cent. per 
annum. In addition to this handsome dividend, the shareholders 
received back in payment of each £12 share the sum of £36 10s. 
The investment accordingly returned the total sum of £73 12s. 6d. 
for each £12 invested. 
The result of the purchase of this undertaking by the Im- 
provement Commissioners has been eminently profitable and 
advantageous to the town. 
The works were taken over on the 1st January, Lae 
1855, the sum paid for the purchase being.... 30183 0 3 
The sum expended in extensions since that time 
Mas Deen ss ccteactcassgs state ckse chorsteveapeta(ure) cols 50239 7 7 
The total gross cost of the works being........ 80422 7 7 
The sum deducted from profits on account of 
depreciation is .....+. a ietolete eo lece suesevereteret iver teks 25822 16 0 
