COAL CONSUMPTION

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1932, Page 3

COAL CONSUMPTION

REASON GIVEN FOR DECREASE POSSIBILITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, November 29. The possibilities for the development

:f tiie coal and coke industry in New Zealand at the present time were discussed by Mr F. W. J. Helton, chief engineer to the Christchurch Gas Company yesterday. Mr Helton said that che growth of the industry rested with the‘gas companies, which spent thousands of pounds each year on research work, and kept in touch' with all progressive movements.

Mr Helton said that in 1914 the output of New Zealand coal mines was 2,7/50,000 tons, while 578,000 tons of coal were imported. Thus 2,853,000 tons of coal were used, equivalent to 2j- tons per head of population. In 1929, the output of New Zealand mines was 2,715,t0n5, but smaller imports reduced the total consumption "by 100,000 tons, each person on the average using 1.86 tons of coal per annum. During the period 1924-29, the output of New Zealand mines increased by 450,000 tons, while imports fell by 460,000 tens. The decrease in consumption was mainly\ due to less coal b.ing used f.r household purposes, and in power production. Many ships had been converted to oil fuel. Coal burning plants for the generation of electricity had I been put 1 / aside in favour of water j power. I

A great deal of. research work was being carried out to see if pulverised coal could be used as a substitute for oil in ships, and the experiment of converting the Hororata for pulverised coal burning had been a success, though it-was admitted the scheme was still in the experimental stages. So Ur, the scheme was not commercially practicable unless arranged on a large scale. Attention was also being paid to the hydrogenisatjon of coal to provide petrol, but here, too, the process was still in the experimental stage. The manufacture of benzole as a byproduct of gas manufacture had possibilities, continued Mr Belton. It was estimated that if this industry were j developed in New Zealand, there would be an increase in revenue to the Government through railage and other expenses of £4400, hut £2500 would be lost in petrol tax. Additional men ■vould be employed at the mines and at the gas .works, and between 330,000 and 403,000 gallons of benzole could be produced annually. , .