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Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 81, 6 April 1943, Page 4

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AUCKLAND GAS SUPPLY DIFFICULTIES OVER COAL Auckland's gas supply was interrupted from 6 p.m-, until about.B.3o p.m. yesterday, owing to the exhaustion of stocks in the holders. Serious inconvenience was caused to restaurants and hotels and to. many essential and other industries including a number of those at Westfield and Penrose. Most housewives, however, had finished cooking by At the instance of the Auckland Gas Company, Limited, an announcement was broadcast at 7 p.m., asking consumers to turn off pilot lights, which had probably gone out by reason of the reduction in pressure. The manager of the company, Mr. Rupert Worley, said last night that shortage of coal and trouble caused by the unavoidable use of wet coal at times had kept the gas holders at very low levels for weeks past. During the peak period from 4.30 pm to 6 p.m. the consumption was 400 000 cubic feet an hour, whereas the maximum production rate was 160,000 cubic feet an hour. Regarding the shortage of coal Mr. Worley said that, although the Coal Controller was doing his best the number of vessels plying from Westport and Greymouth had been insufficient of late and owing to freshes in the rivers and consequent silting of the bars the available steamers had had to make many trips with half-cargoes. He understood, however, that the Government had arrangements in hand for improving the supply of coal. . ' Mr- Worley added that certain works which the company had in hand for increasing its capacity, to make gas were nearing completion and if the public would help for a few weeks by keeping consumption down as far as possible he believed that the position would be greatly improved. ,_. The manager of the company, Mr. R Worley, said to-day that unless a big saving in consumption could be effected there would be a likelihood of further interruptions during this week.