FACTS FOR INVESTORS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 67, 21 March 1938, Page 4

FACTS FOR INVESTORS.

GAS MAKING INDUSTRY. PROGRESS IX AUSTRALIA.

At the annual meeting of Australian Gas Light Company in fcydnev recently the chairman of directors, Mr. Alfred Stephen, stated that during the year ended. December 31 the company had sold over 26,000,000 unite more than during the previous year. The steadily increasing demand for gas had brought about an increase in the production of by-products. Sales of tar for road-making during the year had created a new record for the company, being 75..") per cent above Ukwc or th? previous year. The quantity of tar disposed of—for fuel purposes was a little more than that soM in 1030. The quantity of coke and breeze eold ios<> by (i per cent, but the average return from these products was slwhtly lowor. Hoth the quantity of sulphate or' ammonia and the returns from its sale were a little better, a feature ot the sales being the increased quantity sold for consumption in New South Wales. An improvement in tlio physical properties of the product had enabled the company to meet the competition from imported sulphate of ammonia of similar characteristics. Mr. Stephen said that despite intense competition, gas continued to bo the most popular medium for conking. Last year more than 14.000 gas ranges were sold in the. metropolitan aroa. It waa expected that more gas would be sold as a result of tho new rates, which began to operate on February 14 last. The marketing of gas refrigerators during the year had been so successful that the manufacturers could not meet the demand from their Australian factory, and were obliged to import from KuKland. Good progress had been made with the erection of additional gas plant, and it was hoped to have it in commission during the current year. The modernisation of the eonl and coke handling plants at Mortlake had continued, and when completed would ensure greater reliability and reduced costs. Thp new coke screening plant at Blfickwa'ttle Bay was nearing completion, and it was hoped to have it in operation for the forthcoming winter.