Cement Production Falls

Chronicle (Levin), 28 April 1949, Page 9

Cement Production Falls

Press Association)

(Per

' . AUCKLAND, April 26. - Laek of coal has- resulted in a 50 per cent eut in the ontput of the Portland cement worlcs. PeTsistent coal shortages have interrupted full manuf acture since January and for the past six weeks only two of the company's four kilns have been operating. Since the works at Portland reopened at the beginning of January, coal deliveries had been continually short of requirements, a representative of Wilson's (N.Z.) Portland Cement Coi Ltd said. Many thousands of tons of manufacture had been lost. The company was powerless to secure. an improvement and return to full pro-. duction depended upon the restoratiqu of the normal supply of fuel. The fall in production has meant a substantial drop in cement available for manufacturers of concrete products. One Auckland firm has suffered a 20 per cent reduction in cement deliveries and it is estimatpd that companies m other parts of the North Island are. short of up to half their total needs. One Wellington faetory is reported t-o have been working only two and a haif days a week since January beeause of the shortage of materials.