SHORTAGE OF GAS

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16850, 2 June 1920, Page 6

SHORTAGE OF GAS

STRICT ECONOMY NECESSARY.

The Christchnrch Gas Company's reserve supplies of coal are now quito exhausted. Tho company lias, in fact, been living from hand to mouth, as far as coal is concerned, for some timo past. As a result of the wet weather, the onloading of coal in Lyttelton has been completely stopped, while tlio coal recently received by tho company has been of inferior quality, and extremely wet, wth tho result that it has been impossible to obtain from it tlio full quantity of gas. On short notice, tho company was compelled to warn consumers yosterday that the gas supply might be cut off at 9.30 p.m., but, fortunately, it was enabled to make sufficient gas to prevent such a streat inconvenience. Gas will be supplied as usual to-dav. but if thcro should be a shortage to-night, notice will be given by the company. In tho event of the supply heing restricted, tho companv requests tho consumers to observo the following instructions:—(l) -To turn off all pilot jets in eas appliances; (2) to turn off the tap* of all pendants and brackets; f3) to turn oft all pilot taps and pas taps on califonts, automatic califonts, and water-heaters; (4) to turn off all gas fires; and (5) not to leave any gas-hentmg appliance turned on during tho night. .In consequence of the difficulty m maintnininc: tho full normal supply tho company appeals to consumers to exercise everv economy tiossiblo in the uso of gas for tho present.