GAS ENGINEER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 306, 26 December 1940, Page 3

GAS ENGINEER.

AUSTRALIAN APPOINTMENT.

EXPERT ON CHEMICAL SIDE

(0.C.) CHRISTCHURCH, thie day. Mr. F. W. J. Belton, engineer to the Christ church Gas Company, Limited, has resigned to take an appointment as supervising engineer of the Glentlavis Shale oil euterprise in Xcw South Wales. Mr. Belton is now in Australia, but his resignation will not take effect until the completion of the Christchurch Ges Company's new benzol plant. Congratulations on hie new appointment were offered Mr. Belton by the council of the Automobile Association (Canterbury). Mr. Belton was president of the Canterbury Manufacturers' Association seven years ago, and has been a member of the Rotary Club, since 1925.

Before coming to Christ church as engineer 1C years ago, Mr. Belton was engineer and manager of the Macelesfield Corporation Gas Company. On his arrival in Christchurch he supervised the remodelling of the gasworks, and later paid special attention to the chemical side of the industry. The Christchurch works are the only ones in Xcw Zealand which have made a specialty of the by-products of coal, and in some phases the work carried out has actually led the world. To-daj-, about 25 products are listed, and all are in great demand. The works are the only producers in the Dominion of lienzol, which is in heavy demand, and is produced to the British standard specifications of quality. Napthalene and creosote oil. used- in timber preserving, are two other important by-products, the production of which was initiated by Mr. Belton. Assisted by the chemistry staff. Mr. Belton has deviled the plant and worked out the processes for the production.