ELECTRIC POWER

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 47, 19 November 1926, Page 4

ELECTRIC POWER

SERIOUS EFFECT ON SALE OF SLACK. Dominion Special. Auckland, November 18. “It has been anticipated that when the Arapuni electric power scheme is completed it will seriously affect the sale ol slack coal In the north, as it did when electricity was introduced in the south, stated Mr. W. D. Holgate, at the annual conference of the Ooal Mine-Owners Association to-day. "We have naturally been looking for other uses for pur slack than those we have at present. Continuing. Mr. Holgate said so far nothing very tangible appeared to be tn view. Briquettes could be made from slack, but it was doubtful whether they could be .sold at a profit. The only thing promising at present was the process known as low distillation. Some eighteen months ago seventy tons of Waikato rlack were shipped to Belgium, where the coal was subjected to low distillation process, the residue being made into briquettes and returned to Now Zealand to be tested on the railways. Briquettes were usedl on the Lyttelton-Christchurch une and were highly satisfactory, giving ut T tle h _° r smoke. “From information I have re ceived. I am under the impression that something satisfactory may eventuate from the tests." added Mr. Holgate.. i hope this is so, for the benefit of the industry iu New Zealand.