OIL FUEL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 31, 31 October 1919, Page 6

OIL FUEL

Am'ICK FROM THE CITY ENGINEER. The Mayor (Mr. ,T. P. Luke) stated last night! that a letter had been received from the City Engineer (Mr. W. H. .Morton), who would be back sooner than wa.-- expected. A cablegram had been received from Sir. Morton recommending tho adoption of oil fuel for tho auxiliary power station. The cable read: "Strongly urge consideration of oil fuel for auxiliary station. Great success America. Australasian suppliers should ho approached re tank ships. Parry concurs most important and feasible. Writing." The letter referred to said: "In America and more particularly in the Western States, I found -steam plants in use for assisting the hydro-electric fchemes just as we have proposed, and the simplicity and ease of working wera remarkable. Tho principal points are as follow :— 1. For the special purposes required, oil should he more economical than coal, there being less labour and less local transport. 2. Draught of chimney would be more efficient, probably 20 per cent.' 3. Possible that rating of boilers could be greatly increased with oil fuel. . 4. No ashes to deal with and no dust from chimneys. !>. Automatic regulation of supply of oil io furnaces easily obtainable.

G. In case of emergency extra men in boiler house wouid not bo required. 7. If convenient storage obtainable tho oil could be pumped to station and cartage eliminated. S. Boilers could be got away much more expeditiously. "I am fully aware of the present difficulties, which.aro (principally lack of facility in obtaining bulk-supplies. Tho. supply in casks should not, I think, bo seriously considered. I am certain that before long all fuel oil and petrol will .be delivered by tank steamers, and, as you aro probably aware, this already obtains to a great extent in Australia. . . It. may bo found impossible to get satisfactory arrangements with the Harbour Board, and also the suppliers of oil, but I do not think the matter should be put aside without full investigation." In referring to the letter, tho Mayor faid that tho use of oil fuel Vas one that must be inquired into. He had brought tho matter before Parliament, and aske<l tlmt the whole question sliould be. gone into. Councillor C. H. Chapman paid that the matter was one on which'they should consult with the Harbour Board, as the importation of oil in bulk would entail the provision of oil reservoirs, which must lw Imilt on tho waterfront. CouneilloT C. B. Norwood pointed out that prevision wa.s made for an oil reservoir in the proposed plans for reclamation at Kaiwarrn.