Chapter XVII: Appendix: IV

The following is a tabulated account of the cost of the brick kilns to the State, and the value of these convict-made bricks in the local market.

The output of bricks per month when four tables were at work was 230,000, and their value at $45.00 per 10,000 would be $1,035. The cost of manufacture was as follows:--

$
Overseer's Salary 45.00

Labour of 125 Convicts,
at 25cts. per diem for
artizans and 9cts. for
labourers 306.00

Cost of Fuel 200.00

Wear and Tear 17.10

Food for Cattle 24.30

Contingencies 16.20
-------
Total $608.60
=======

$
Value of 230,000 of
Bricks at $45 per
laksa, that being the
market price for
Government Bricks 1,035.00

Deduct cost of
manufacture 608.60
--------
Difference to credit of
the State $426.40
========

Bricks were debited to Government Works at $20 per laksa. The size of a Government brick mould was 10¼ x 5¼ x 3 ins. The bricks when burnt measured 9 x 4½ x 2¾ ins., and weighed about 7 lbs. when dry, and about 7 lbs. 3 or 4 ozs. after soaking in fresh water. These were ordinary bricks, but those manufactured for hydraulic work were impervious to water.

NOTE.--The size of a Chinese-made brick when burnt is 10 x 5 x 1½ ins. It requires 22 Chinese-made bricks to build one cubic foot of brickwork, but of convict-made Government bricks a cubic foot of brickwork requires 13 only.