SERIOUS ASPECTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 302, 21 December 1943, Page 4

SERIOUS ASPECTS

EFFECT ON CITY LIFE TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS The part that gas plays in the life of the community was brought home with a shock to many Auckland people to-day- for many sections of them were affected. With Christmas close at hand, there were hopes that the trouble would soon be overcome, and in a philosophic way most people settled down to face the position as best they could. One of the most serious aspects of the cessation of supply is the grave threat to industries, many of which are on war production. Some will have to close at least sections of their works. Industries with alternative heating plants have switched over to emergency equipment, but in many cases that will not allow full production to be maintained. , , , . Auckland householders had fair warning yesterday of what the next day might produce. People with an all-electric service had no particular worries, and many others had an electric point or an immersion heater to help them along. Where coal ranges were available they were quickly stoked up and brought into operation. The real hardship was for those householders entirely dependent on gas. Father had to shave with cold water, the usual cup of morning tea was not to be had and breakfast was on cold and simplelines Like other people they could live only in hopes of the situation returning speedily to normal. Trouble For Hotels Hotel managers in Auckland viewed the situation grimly. At one city hotel it was considered that meals could not be supplied until the gas supply was resumed. *At another, a big coke fire was used, but the most substantial meal the guests could hope for to-day was cold meat. At a third city hotel where there was a limited number of guests, pots were being boiled on a coal fire in the open yard. The chef had taken the situation in his stride, and high lights of the menu for lunch were stewed sausages or stewed chops. Cold meat and cooked vegetables were also prepared, and, although the circumstances were difficult indeed, the menu included a bread and butter custard and jellies. Boiled mutton and boiled fowl, it was stated, were likely to make an appearance at the evening's meal. However, no extra meals could be served, and it had been necessary to cancel a dinner party. It appeared that with improvised outdoor cooking much could be accomplished, but the manger added that if rain came they would be in difficulties. An overseas visitor at a city hotel ordered a large grill this morning as soon as he reached the dining room. A waitress informed him that the best that could be done was to give him a cup of tea, and some cold meat.

Appeal For Patience Some of the small restaurants in the city have closed for the time being. This morning one proprietor remarked in a resigned way that it was the first holiday he had had for a long time. He claimed that a gas flame was essential for a good grill, and without gas he could not specialise in grills. Some city restaurants served cups of tea to-day, instead of a pot of tea, and others had to close down portion of their premises and confine the work to sales of cakes. "It is the worst spot of bother we have ever had," said the manager of one of Auckland's leading restaurants to-day. "We appeal to the public to be patient and not expect the usual service. If they are patient they will get something to eat. We will not fail them." This restaurant depends almost entirely on gas, and serves over 3000 meals daily. The emergency menu to-day was attractive. It opened with iced chicken consomme, and then a choice could be made from whitebait fritters, devilled kidneys, grilled bacon or ham, with tomatoes, hamburger steaks, cold meats with salads, and a choice of at least five sweets. It was gathered during the inquiries that during the present cold weather many people prefer cold drinks and cold collations. .The trouble with the latter is that they have to be cooked firs'.