GAS-MAKING DIFFICULTIES

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1929, Page 5

GAS-MAKING DIFFICULTIES

WANGANUI, September 16

The coal strike in Australia is not making work any easier for the engineers at the Wanganui city gas works. Their plant is particularly adapted for Newcastle coal, or rather Newcastle coal is particularly suitable for thenplant. The West Coast coals which have had to be used in place of Newcastle swell too much in the vertical retorts, and. can only be worked mixed with lignite, which while producing little gas or coke, keeps the charge “ open.” However, the whole vertical retort plant, and « ls o the water-gas plant, going at full pressure are necessary to maintain the supply, whereas with Newcastle coal the demand could be satisfied with one-third fewer retorts and without the water-gas plant. Consumers of coke have had their patience severely tested, both with regard to quality and also time of delivery. _ At to-morrow night’s council meeting more is to be heard of the transport question. The Mayor and Councillor Hallman will report on their conference with Mr M. Cable, of Wellington. A “Dominion” representative learnt that about 60 men were employed on the tramways, apparently far too many, even before the curtailment, and this is one of the questions Mr Cable will have to settle. The suburbs of Dune Hill. Southfield, and Wanganui East are nil holding meetings to discuss the situation, and the whole city is now fully alive to the importance of grappling with the problem.