AGY-6097 | Royal Commissions of Inquiry into the 'standard price' of gas

Full description

The Gas Act, 1912, (Act No.71, 1912), regulated the sale of gas for lighting and heating. Initially the Act applied to the Australian Gaslight Company, North Shore Gas Company Limited and the City of Newcastle Gas and Coke Company Limited. By 1920 it could be extended to other companies.

The Gas Act, 1912, was the result of public discontent. Suburban municipalities, who relied on gas for street lighting, asked the State Government for legislation to regulate the gas industry. Public unease at the reliance on gas for lighting, heating and industry, and the dominance of the Australian Gaslight Company, intensified after a one day strike by its employees on 12 January 1911 revealed that Sydney only had a 24 hour gas reserve. The Gas Bill, described by one newspaper as the 'Gas Companies Destruction Act', was framed in 1911, introduced into Parliament in August 1912 and assented to on 20 December 1912. (1) The majority of its provisions came into force on 1 July 1913, except for Section 20 which controlled the price of gas (1 January 1913) and Sections 15 and 29 which limited the standard rate of dividend payable to shareholders and gave companies powers to raise additional capital, borrow money and consolidate and divide share capital (at passing of Act).

The Act set standards for the power, purity and pressure of the gas, penalties for defects in these, prescribed methods for testing the gas, and allowed for the testing and certification of meters. It also provided for the appointment of examiners to test the gas. The examiners reported to the Minister as well as the gas companies and there were penalties for any company, its officers and employees, who did not co-operate with the examiners. (2)

The Act addressed the financial affairs of gas companies. It capped the maximum standard rate of dividend to shareholders at ten per cent of capital invested. A special purposes fund could be set aside for unforseen purposes; plant replacement, maintenance and renewal; and employee superannuation. The Act enabled the creation of reserve funds. Companies could raise additional capital, borrow money, and consolidate and divide share capital. Standardised annual statements of accounts had to be sent to the Minister on or before 31 March each year. The Auditor-General could audit a company's accounts at the request of the Minister and/or twelve gas users. (3)

The Act linked the price of gas for customers to the amount of dividend that could be paid to shareholders, using a sliding scale. The Act limited the Australian Gaslight Company, North Shore Gas Company Limited and the City of Newcastle Gas and Coke Company Limited to a charge of 3 shillings and 6 pence per thousand cubic feet, as published in Schedule One. This was the 'standard price' set in 1912 and a company had to justify any increase. Starting from 1 January 1913, the company's auditor could certify to the Minister that the cost of production of gas had increased 'by reason of any alteration in labour conditions, including wages...' (4) The Minister would then cause an inquiry to be held by a Supreme or District Court Judge, at which the Minister and the company would be represented. If the Judge certified that costs had increased, the Governor would by proclamation in the Government Gazette 'increase the standard price by one penny per thousand cubic feet in respect of every penny by which the judge shall certify that the cost of production per thousand cubic feet of gas has been increased'. (5) If an increase was granted, the company had to wait six months before applying for another. The Minister could also call an inquiry to decrease the price if the costs of production decreased. If the Company raised prices above the standard price without justification, it had to lower its dividend to shareholders. The Act also regulated the amount of notice required to be given when requesting a supply of gas and the charge for hire of prepayment meters.

Government control over the price of gas was extended during World War I. Gas for lighting, cooking or industrial use was declared a 'necessary commodity' under the Necessary Commodities Control Act, 1914 (Act No.18, 1914) for the duration of the war and six months after. The Necessary Commodities Control Commission was given the powers, rights and privileges of the Supreme Court and its Judges. In September 1914, the maximum price of gas was set by the Commission at the same rate as the Gas Act, 1912, at 3 shillings and 6 per thousand cubic feet, in the area supplied by the Australian Gaslight Company and the North Shore Gas Company Ltd. (6) In July 1919 prices of necessary commodities were fixed at the price ruling on 21 July, however gas supplied by the Australian Gaslight Company and the North Shore Gas Company Ltd was excluded. The Necessary Commodities Control Act, 1919 (Act No.47, 1919), which repealed the 1914 Act, also covered the price of gas. Inquiries under the Necessary Commodities Control Act, 1919, were held to determine the differing price of gas manufactured by other gas companies throughout the state. (7)

The Gas (Amendment) Act, 1918 (Act No.3, 1918) listed other factors that could increase the 'standard price' for the Australian Gaslight Company, North Shore Gas Company Limited and the City of Newcastle Gas and Coke Company Limited, not just wages. These included freight, coal, oil, rates and other expenses that were chargeable to revenue, and a reasonable return on the cost of buildings and manufacturing and distributing plant. But the inquiry could only be held by a Supreme Court Judge. (8)

The Gas Act (Amendment) Act, 1920, (Act No.14, 1920), extended the holding of an inquiry re a 'standard price' to any gas company upon request of 250 or ten per cent of consumers of the company, which ever was the smaller. The 'standard price' for this company was to be calculated from twelve months before the inquiry. All 'standard price' inquiries could now be presided over by either a Supreme Court Judge or a District Judge. The 'standard price' should allow payment of the 'standard rate' of dividend to shareholders after making provision for interest payable on loans, expenses properly charged to revenue, and a reasonable sum for contingencies. (9)

The Gas (Amendment) Act, 1926 (Act No.5, 1926) enabled companies to extend the area of their operations and provided for the creation of boards of inquiry. The boards consisted of three members, one appointed by the Minister, one by the company and the third, the chairman, agreed to by both. The board's chairman had the rights and privileges of the chairman of a Royal Commission. The board could exempt a company from the provisions of the Act re lighting and alter the standard for the heating power of the gas. It could also investigate and recommend the purchase by agreement, joint working, or amalgamation of gas companies. The Act allowed the Auditor-General, at the request of the Minister, to examine the accounts of any gas company. (10)

Although price inquiries did continue, the holding of Royal Commissions ceased with the Gas and Electricity Act, 1932 (Act No.4, 1932). The Act regulated the supply, consumption and use of gas and electricity; prescribed standards of heating power, purity and pressure for gas; and provided for the regulation of companies, corporations, firms and persons supplying gas and electricity, particularly with regard to dividends, reserves, funds, accounts and the issue of shares. Commencing on 29 March 1932, it repealed the Gas Act, 1912. A Commissioner of Gas and Electricity was appointed by the Governor for seven years. Inquiries were now to be held by the Commissioner and three members appointed by the Minister, one representing the company, one representing the workers' union, and the third an officer of the Public Service, with the Commissioner as the casting vote. The Act continued the concept of the 'standard price' of gas and electricity but this was to be determined by a commission constituted by the Minister, rather than by a Royal Commission. The 'standard price' applied to the Australian Gaslight Company; North Shore Gas Company Ltd, City of Newcastle Gas and Coke Company Ltd, Camden Gas Company Ltd, Cowra Gas Company Ltd, Manly Gas Company Ltd, Broken Hill and Suburban Gas Company Ltd, and Grenfell Gas Company Ltd. It could also be applied to any other company that requested so in writing or that the Minister wished to investigate, as well as to gas and electricity generation by local government authorities. The Minister could ask for a commission to investigate the superannuation scheme of employees and relations between a company and its consumers. (11).

Royal Commissions
1918 : Australian Gaslight Company before the Honorable David Gilbert Ferguson, a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Letters Patent were issued 23 April 1918. The terms of reference were 'whether the cost of production and distribution of the gas sold of the Australian Gaslight Company had increased since the 1st day of January, 1913, above the average cost of production and distribution sold during the year 1912'. The hearing commenced 5 June and Ferguson reported on 18 June. He judged that there had been an increase in the cost of production and distribution since 1912 of 1 shilling and 2 pence per thousand feet sold. The standard price for the Australian Gaslight Company was therefore raised to 4 shillings and 8 pence. (12)
1918 : North Shore Gas Company Ltd before the Honorable David Gilbert Ferguson, a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Letters Patent were issued 3 May 1918. The hearing followed that for the Australian Gaslight Company and Ferguson reported on 18 June. He judged that there had been an increase in the cost of production and distribution since 1912 of 1 shilling and 2 pence per thousand feet sold. The standard price for North Shore Gas Company Ltd was therefore raised to 4 shillings and 8 pence. (13)
1919 : Australian Gaslight Company and North Shore Gas Company Ltd before the Honorable David Gilbert Ferguson, a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Letters Patent were issued 31 October 1919. The terms of reference were 'whether the cost of production and distribution has been so increased ... and in so inquiring you are directed to take into consideration all increases in wages, freight, coal, oil, rates, and other expenses which under the said Act, as amended by the 'Gas Amendment Act, 1918' are properly chargeable to revenue, and such a sum as you may determine will ensure a reasonable return upon the moneys expended on buildings and manufacturing and distributing plant since the first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and thirteen....' In December 1919 the standard price for the Australian Gaslight Company was raised to 5 shillings and 1 penny and for the North Shore Gas Company Ltd to 4 shillings and 11 pence. (14)
1920 : Australian Gaslight Company and North Shore Gas Company Ltd before the Honorable Sir Charles Gregory Wade, KCMG, a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Letters Patent were issued 7 October 1920. The terms of reference were 'whether the cost of production and distribution has been so increased... and in so inquiring you are directed to take into consideration all increases in wages, freight, coal, oil, rates, and other expenses which under the said Act, as amended by the Gas Amendment Act, 1918, are properly chargeable to revenue, and such a sum as you may determine will ensure a reasonable return upon the moneys expended on buildings and manufacturing and distributing plant since the first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and thirteen....' In November 1920 the standard price for the Australian Gaslight Company was raised to 5 shillings and 9 pence and for North Shore Gas Company Ltd to 5 shillings and 5 pence. (15)
1921 : Camden Gas Company Ltd before His Honor Hugh Montgomerie Hamilton, a Judge of the District Court of New South Wales. Letters Patent were issued 21 April 1921. The terms of reference were 'inquiring whether the said Company should be added to Schedule One to the Gas Act, 1912, and of determining and fixing the price per one thousand feet of gas sold by meter, which, if charged by the said Company, will produce such an amount as, together with all revenue received, or which under efficient management might be received from any source by the said Company, will enable the said Company to pay the standard rate of dividend authorised by the Gas Act, 1912, after making provision for, - (a) interest payable on loans; (b) expenses properly chargeable to revenue (and in respect of which you shall be satisfied as to the necessity for or expediency of the expenditure; and (c) a reasonable sum for contingencies which shall not exceed the amount necessary to pay one half year's dividend at standard rate'. In September 1921 the Camden Gas Company Ltd was added to Schedule One and its standard price set at 14 shillings and 8.5 pence. (16)
1921 : Cowra Gas Company Ltd before His Honor Walter Bevan, a Judge of the District Court of New South Wales. Letters Patent were issued 19 May 1921. The terms of reference were 'inquiring whether the said Company should be added to Schedule One to the Gas Act, 1912, and of determining and fixing the price per one thousand feet of gas sold by meter, which, if charged by the said Company, will produce such an amount as, together with all revenue received, or which under efficient management might be received from any source by the said Company, will enable the said Company to pay the standard rate of dividend authorised by the Gas Act, 1912, after making provision for - (a) interest payable on loans; (b) expenses properly chargeable to revenue (and in respect of which you shall be satisfied as to the necessity for or expediency of the expenditure); and (c) a reasonable sum for contingencies which shall not exceed the amount necessary to pay one half-year's dividend at standard rate'. In August 1921 the Cowra Gas Company Ltd was added to Schedule One and its standard price set at 10 shillings and 10 pence. (17)
1921 : City of Newcastle Gas and Coke Company Ltd before the Honorable Sir Charles Gregory Wade, a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Letters Patent were issued 10 September 1921. The terms of reference were 'for the purpose of determining and fixing the price per one thousand feet of gas sold by meter, which, if charged by the said Company, will produce such an amount as, together with all other revenue received, or which under efficient management might be received from any source by the said Company, will enable the said Company to pay the standard rate of dividend authorised by the Gas Act, 1912, as amended by the Gas (Amendment) Act, 1918, after making provision for - (a) interest payable on loans; (b) expenses properly chargeable to revenue (and in respect of which you shall be satisfied as to the necessity for or expediency of the expenditure); and (c) a reasonable sum for contingencies which shall not exceed the amount necessary to pay one half-year's dividend at standard rate'. In November 1921 the standard price for the City of Newcastle Gas and Coke Company Ltd was raised to 5 shillings and 2 pence. (18)
1922 : Grenfell Gas Company Ltd before His Honor Judge Walter Bevan, a Judge of the District Court of New South Wales. Letters Patent were issued 25 September 1922. The terms of reference were 'whether the said Company should be added to Schedule One to the Gas Act, 1912, and of determining and fixing the price per one thousand feet of gas sold by meter, which, if charged by the said Company, will produce such an amount as, together with all revenue received, or which under efficient management might be received from any source by the said Company, will enable the said Company to pay the standard rate of dividend authorised by the Gas Act, 1912, after making provision for - (a) interest payable on loans; (b) expenses properly chargeable to revenue (and in respect of which you shall be satisfied as to the necessity for or expediency of the expenditure); and (c) a reasonable sum for contingencies which shall not exceed the amount necessary to pay one half-year's dividend at standard rate'. In October 1922 the Grenfell Gas Company Ltd was added to Schedule One and its standard price set at 13 shillings and 5 pence. (19)
1922 : Manly Gas Company Ltd before the Honorable James Lang Campbell, a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Letter Patent were issued 16 November 1922. The terms of reference were 'whether the said Company should be added to Schedule One to the Gas Act, 1912, and of determining and fixing the price per one thousand feet of gas sold by meter, which, if charged by the said Company, will produce such an amount as, together with all revenue received, or which under efficient management might be received from any source by the said Company, will enable the said Company to pay the standard rate of dividend authorised by the Gas Act, 1912, after making provision for - (a) interest payable on loans; (b) expenses properly chargeable to revenue (and in respect of which you shall be satisfied as to the necessity for or expediency of the expenditure); and (c) a reasonable sum for contingencies which shall not exceed the amount necessary to pay one half-year's dividend at standard rate'. In December 1922 the Manly Gas Company Ltd was added to Schedule One and its standard price set at 6 shillings and 6 pence. (20)
1924 : Manly Gas Company Ltd before the Honorable James Lang Campbell, a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Letters Patent were issued 14 October 1924 and amended 21 October. The terms of reference were 'whether the cost of production and distribution has been so increased as aforesaid, and in so inquiring you are directed to take into consideration all increases in wages, freight, coal, oil, rates and other expenses which, under the Gas Act, 1912, as amended by the Gas (Amendment) Act, 1918, and the Gas Act (Amendment) Act, 1920, are properly chargeable to revenue, and such a sum as you may determine will ensure a reasonable return upon the moneys expended on buildings and manufacturing and distributing plant ...' In November 1924 the standard price for Manly Gas Company Ltd was raised to 7 shillings and 3 pence. (21)
1926 : North Shore Gas Company Ltd before the Honorable James Lang Campbell, a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Letters Patent were issued 10 May 1926. The terms of reference were 'whether the cost of production and distribution has been so increased as aforesaid, and if so, the amount of such increase per thousand cubic feet of gas sold and in so inquiring you are directed to take into consideration all increases in wages, freight, coal, oil, rates, and other expenses which under the Gas Act, 1912, as amended by the Gas (Amendment) Act, 1918, are properly chargeable to revenue and such a sum as you may determine will ensure a reasonable return upon the moneys expended on buildings and manufacturing and distributing plant since the first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and thirteen ...' In June 1926 the standard price for the North Shore Gas Company Ltd was raised to 6 shillings and 3 pence. (22)
1927 : City of Newcastle Gas and Coke Company Ltd before the Honorable James Lang Campbell, a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Letters Patent were issued 30 November 1926. The terms of reference were 'whether the cost of production and distribution has been so increased as aforesaid, and if so by how many pence per thousand cubic feet ... and in so inquiring you are directed to take into consideration all increases in wages, freight, coal, oil, rates, and other expenses which under the Gas Act, 1912, as amended by the Gas (Amendment) Act, 1918, and the Gas Act (Amendment) Act, 1920, are properly chargeable to revenue, and such a sum as you may determine will ensure a reasonable return upon the moneys expended on buildings and manufacturing and distributing plant since the date of the [previous] inquiry ...' In January 1927 the standard price for the City of Newcastle Gas and Coke Company Ltd was raised to 6 shillings. (23)
1927 : Manly Gas Company Ltd before the Honorable James Lang Campbell, a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Letters Patent were issued 5 July 1927. The terms of reference were 'whether the cost of production and distribution has been so increased as aforesaid, and if so by how many pence per thousand cubic feet ... and in so inquiring you are directed to take into consideration all increases in wages, freight, coal, oil, rates, and other expenses which under the Gas Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts are properly chargeable to revenue and such a sum as you may determine will ensure a reasonable return upon the moneys expended on buildings and manufacturing and distributing plant since the date of the [previous] inquiry ...' In September 1927 the standard price for the Manly Gas Company Ltd was raised to 8 shillings. (24)
1930 : Broken Hill and Suburban Gas Company Ltd before His Honour William Thomas Coyle, KC, a District Court Judge and Chairman of Quarter Sessions for New South Wales. The Commission was issued 29 November 1929. The terms of reference were 'to inquire and certify as to what price per one thousand cubic feet of gas sold by meter by the Broken Hill and Suburban Gas Company Limited will produce such an amount as together with all other revenue received from any source by the said Company, will enable the said Company to pay the standard rate of dividend authorised by the Gas Act, 1912, after making provision for (a) interest payable on loans; (b) expenses properly chargeable to revenue (and in respect of which he shall be satisfied as to the expediency of the expenditure), and (c) a reasonable sum for contingencies, which shall not exceed the amount necessary to pay one half-year's dividend at the standard rate'. In March 1930 the name of the Broken Hill and Suburban Gas Company Ltd was added to Schedule One and the standard price set at 12 shillings. (25)
1931 : Australian Gaslight Company, North Shore Gas Company Ltd and Manly Gas Company Ltd before the Honorable Colin George Watt Davidson, a Judge of the Supreme Court of NSW. The hearing started 22 December 1930 and was adjourned several times. Notification of the extension of the Commission and the revocation of the Commission for the Manly Gas Company Ltd was made to the parties on 16 January 1931. Hearings took place on 28 to 30 January 1931. The only references found are in the notebooks of Judge Davidson and his Associate. (26)

Boards of Inquiry
1926 : Manly Gas Company Ltd, a Board was appointed on 31 May 1926 to inquire into the proposed extension of the area of supply of the Manly Gas Company Ltd. The Board consisted of Henry Edward Manning, barrister at law, Chairman; Charles Frederick Caines Eyers, Chief Gas Examiner, Minister's representative; and Andrew Wilson, gas engineer, Company representative. The extension was granted in July to an area of about 2,414 acres, and the price that could be charged in this area was 9 pence above their existing price. (27)
1926 : North Shore Gas Company Ltd, a Board was appointed on 7 September 1926 to inquire into the proposed extension of the area of supply of the North Shore Gas Company Ltd. The Board consisted of Henry Edward Manning, barrister at law, Chairman; Charles Frederick Caines Eyers, Chief Gas Examiner, Minister's representative; and Andrew Wilson, gas engineer, Company representative. The extension was granted in October to an area of about 45 acres of Ku-ring-gai Shire. (28)
1927 : Australian Gaslight Company, a Board was appointed on 20 June 1927 to inquire into the proposed extension of the area of supply of the Australian Gaslight Company and a further Board was appointed to inquire into the purchase by agreement of the Liverpool Municipal Gas Undertaking by the Australian Gaslight Company. The Boards consisted of Henry Edward Manning, barrister at law, Chairman; Charles Frederick Caines Eyers, Chief Gas Examiner, Minister's representative; and Andrew Wilson, gas engineer, Company representative. (29)

Endnotes
1. Rosemary Broomham, First Light : 150 years of gas, Sydney, Hale and Iremonger and the Australian Gas Light Company, 1987, pp.99-102, 101; An Act to prescribe standards of illuminating power, purity, and pressure for gas; to regulate the price of gas; to regulate companies, corporations, firms, and persons supplying gas, and particularly with regard to dividends, reserves, funds, accounts, and the issue of shares; and for purposes consequent thereon or incidental thereto : The Gas Act, 1912 (Act No. 71, 1912).
2. Gas Act, 1912, Sections 4-14.
3. ibid., Sections 15-29.
4. ibid., Section 20.
5. ibid.
6. Rosemary Broomham, op.cit., p.105; An Act to provide for the control of necessary commodities; and for purposes incidental thereto : Necessary Commodities Control Act, 1914 (Act No.18, 1914), Sections 2, 13; New South Wales Government Gazette No.165, 17 September 1914, p.5685.
7. NSW Government Gazette No.178, 21 July 1919, p.4047; No.200, 8 August 1919, p.4516; An Act to provide for the control of necessary commodities and the prevention of profiteering; to repeal the Necessary Commodities Control Act, 1914; and for purposes consequent thereon and incidental thereto : Necessary Commodities Control Act, 1919, (Act No.47, 1919); see for example NSW Government Gazette No.130, 9 July 1920, p.3998; No.145, 6 August 1920, p.4737; No.152, 20 August 1920, pp.4873-4; No.155, 27 August 1920, p.4981; No.167, 17 September 1920, p.5457.
8. An Act to amend the Gas Act, 1912, and to amend an Act passed in the eighth year of His late Majesty King William the Fourth, intituled 'An Act for lighting with gas the town of Sydney in the Colony of New South Wales, and to enable certain persons associated under the name, style, and firm of the Australian Gaslight Company to sue and be sued in the name of the secretary for the time being of the company, and for other purposes therein mentioned' : Gas (Amendment) Act, 1918 (Act No. 3, 1918).
9. An Act to amend the Gas Act, 1912 : Gas Act (Amendment) Act, 1920 (Act No.14, 1920).
10. An Act to authorise the revision of the standard of heating power of gas to be supplied by certain gas companies; to enable certain gas companies to extend the area of their operations; to provide for the constitution of boards of inquiry; to amend the Gas Act, 1912, and certain other Acts; and for purposes connected therewith : Gas (Amendment) Act, 1926 (Act No. 5, 1926).
11. An Act to regulate the supply, consumption, and use of gas and electricity; to prescribe the standards of heating power, purity, and pressure of gas; to provide for the regulation of companies, corporations, firms and persons supplying gas and electricity, and particularly with regard to dividends, reserves, funds, accounts, and the issue of shares; to repeal the Gas Act, 1912, as amended by subsequent Acts, and the Electric Lighting and Gas Emergency Act, 1917; to amend an Act an Act passed in the eighth year of the reign of His late Majesty King William the Fourth, intituled 'An Act for lighting with Gas the Town of Sydney in the Colony of New South Wales, and to enable certain persons associated under the name, style, and firm of "The Australian Gas Light Company" to sue and be sued in the name of the Secretary for the time being of the said Company, and for other purposes therein mentioned' ; and for purposes connected therewith [Assented to, 29th March, 1932] (Act No.4, 1932), especially Section 14; NSW Government Gazette No.41, 29 March 1932, p.1115.
12. Joint Volume of Papers presented to the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly and ordered to be printed (Parliamentary Papers), Vol.6, 1918, pp.658; NSW Government Gazette No.89, 19 July 1918, p.3472.
13. Parliamentary Papers, op.cit., Vol.6, 1918, pp.657; NSW Government Gazette No.89, 19 July 1918, pp.3472-3.
14. NSW Government Gazette No.253, 7 November 1919, pp.6095-96; No.271, 19 December 1919, pp.7111-12, 7120.
15. NSW Government Gazette No.184, 15 October 1920, p.6068; No.198, 12 November 1920, p.6619-20.
16. NSW Government Gazette No.59, 22 April 1921, p.2440; Parliamentary Papers, op.cit., Vol.4, 1921, p.995; NSW Government Gazette No.133, 9 September 1921, p.5240.
17. NSW Government Gazette No.74, 27 May 1921, pp.3057-8; Parliamentary Papers, op.cit., Vol.4, 1921, p.997; NSW Government Gazette No.125, 26 August 1921, p.4919.
18. Parliamentary Papers, op.cit., Vol.4, 1921, p.999; NSW Government Gazette No.169, 18 November 1921, p.6564.
19. NSW Government Gazette No.144, 6 October 1922, p.5483; No.151, 27 October 1922, p.5739.
20. NSW Government Gazette No.163, 24 November 1922, pp.6196-97; No.176, 29 December 1922, p.6774.
21. NSW Government Gazette No.134, 17 October 1924, p.4785; No.136, 24 October 1924, p.4854; No.142, 7 November 1924, p.5074.
22. NSW Government Gazette No.59, 14 May 1926, p.2104; No.72, 4 June 1926, p.2435.
23. NSW Government Gazette No.158, 3 December 1926, p.5126; No.8, 21 January 1927, p.304.
24. NSW Government Gazette No.94, 15 July 1927, pp.3482-83; No.122, 2 September 1927, pp.4310-11.
25. NSW Government Gazette No.152, 6 December 1929, p.4849; No.33, 21 March 1930, p.1219.
26. NRS 5848, Notebooks: Royal Commission on Standard Price of Gas [Justice C.G.W. Davidson], 1930-1931 [3/4999 part]; NRS 5849, Notebooks: Associate's Book - Royal Commission on the Coal Industry, and Royal Commission on Standard Price of Gas [Justice C.G.W. Davidson], 1929-1931 [3/4999 part].
27. NSW Government Gazette No.72, 4 June 1926, p.2438; No.90, 2 July 1926, p.2811.
28. NSW Government Gazette No.122, 10 September 1926, p.3807; No.137, 22 October 1926, p.4427.
29. NSW Government Gazette No.90, 8 July 1927, p.3411.