PETONE'S GOAL PROBLEM

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10616, 15 June 1920, Page 4

PETONE'S GOAL PROBLEM

MEAGRE SUPPLY OBTAINABLE. BIG DEMAND FOR GAS. In his re]>ort to the Petone Borough Council last night the gasworks manager (Mr E. Appleyard) stated.that the supplies of coal that were coming forward were meagre and only sufficient to keep the works going from week to week.

Tho quality of the coal received from the Vost Coast was exceptionally poor, and in consequence he had been compelled to secure a quantity |>f 'Newcastle coal in order to help keep up the supply of sas. The Newcastle coal had to be purchased through the Railway Department at a very high price. Tho retail branch for the supply of coal for household use has not for some time been able to cope with the orders received. In order that the coal may supply as many families ta possible only orders for on© cwt lots ara accepted, and even under those conditions hundreds of households have to go without coal. Upwards of 160 tons of coke and 926 bags of firewood were said during May by the department.

In consequence of the difficulty in procuring coal for household perposes the demand that is being made for gas is causing the manager considerable anxiety. The works are stated to be capable of meeting all the demaade that are likeh- to be made for gas for a. number of years ahead, but the, inadequate supplies and poor quality of'the, coal arc seriously aeiicting tnc output. For the month of May 5,469,700 cubic feet of gas were manufactured at the irasworks fram 430 tons of coal, the increase in comparison with Mav, 1919, beinp; 879,100 cubic feet. Of the total manufacture Lower Hutt purchased 2,297,000 cubic feet, an increase of 290,000 cubic feet compared with May laet year.