THE GASWORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1919, Page 5

THE GASWORKS.

SHORTAGE OS* COAL SUPPLIES. The New Plymouth Gasworks have been in trouble lately with coal supplies. On Saturday evening the gas was not available for a time, and at 3.30 on Monday there was another stoppage until 7 o'clock, whilst for a short time last night, between 5.30 and 6-30, the pressure wts again very weak. The company has been disappointed with supplies of coal that were promised weeks ago, and has only been able to keep going in the in find out manner of the last few days by the courtesy of the Harbor Board, which has loaned a few truck loads of its bunker coal to the company. It is expected relief will be afforded to-day by the arrival of the Kini from Westport, which is supposed to have 200 tons of coal aboard for the company. This will keep the works going for another month, and it is hoped before then that other supplies will he available. There is, however, no use disguising the faot that the gasworks and all other consumers of coal will have great difficulty in carrying on unless there is an Improvement soon in coal production in New Zftaland or the strike ceases in Australia, thus allowing of securing supplies from Newcastle.

There 1b naturally in this time of fuel shortage a big demand for coke, and the gas company is unable to sell to any one person more than two bags at a time. The company has regular customers, mostly connected with industries, that have to he considered first.