CARRYING ON

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 303, 22 December 1943, Page 6

CARRYING ON

IMPROVISED WAYS MUCH ACCOMPLISHED Many Auckland people set out this morning to face another cheerless and gasless day, but with a flicker of hope that the trouble would soon be overcome. With improvised ways, people have accomplished much. Householders have found that where there is heat there is a prospect of getting something cooked. In many instances kindly neighbours who rejoice in allelectric installations have come to the rescue of less fortunate people. Some householders lost no time in building fires in open fire places, and even in back yards. Many who relied, largely on gas had some electrical appliances. They were lucky. It seemed impossible to-day to buy any electrical equipment, such as immersion heaters or toasters. As one principal of an electrical firm said, they are not made locally and cannot be imported. Auckland hotels and restaurants carried on to-day as best they could. At one of the leading city hotels, the cooking is being done in a small enclosed j'ard. and many pots boil over blazing coals. There has been a big rush on home cookeries, and coal and firewood has been a demand which could not be satisfied. Auckland hospitals, nursing homes and hostels have been carrying on as best they could. The Auckland Hospital reported this morning that it had managed to carry on fairly well, and there was now much better hopes for Christmas dinner. Organised Help Following a meeting of E.P.S. wardens held yesterday, the Chief Warden, Mr. Allum, decided to ask citizens who had facilities for cooking_ food to ascertain the position of their neighbours, and wherever possible to assist them. The E.P.S. personnel was asked to make inquiries and report."