RESTRICTED GAS SUPPLY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25161, 17 April 1947, Page 6

RESTRICTED GAS SUPPLY

Little Warning To Public STATEMENT BY COMPANY Until further notice Christchurch will be without gas from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. The restriction, which started last evening, was announced to “The Press” by the Christchurch Gas Company yesterday afternoon. “Circumstances beyond the company’s control” were given as the reason for the restriction, and a statement by the company gave no indication when the normal supply would be resumed. Mr F. E. Graham, chairman of directors of the company, was asked by a reporter of ‘The Press,” who spoke to him by telephone, whether he would give a more specific reason. He replied that he was not prepared to say anything further. Asked when the supply would be resumed, Mr Graham said: “The resumption will be as soon as is humanly possible.” The company’s statement said that some districts would have reduced pressure at other periods during the day.

The secretary of the Christchurch Gas Workers’ Union (Mr W. H. Mathison) visited the works yesterday afternoon, and did not hear of any stoppage of supply. The unforeseen circumstances were in no way caused by the union or the men, he said. While at the works he noticed that work was being done on one of the holders. Those persons who were listening to the Christchurch broadcasting stations at 2.30 p.m. yesterday received the first news of the restriction. Others heard the news later in the afternoon, but many did not know anything about the cuts, and were mystified when their supply was cut down at 6 p.m. Hospital Affected One of the most seriously affected places was St. George’s Hospital. The matron said last evening that the hospital did all its cooking and heating of water with gas. No warning had been received of the cut, and there had been no opportunity to purchase electrical equipment, or other means of heating. Meals had to be provided for the night nursing staff, hot drinks were required for patients, and babies’ bottles had to be heated. Many restaurants closed earlier than usual. Some had alternative means of cooking, and were able to provide a very limited selection of meals, but these soon sold out. Of the popular “all-night” restaurants in the main part of the city only two remained open. In one only meals easily cooked wer* supplied. Several housewives last evening, while grudgingly admitting that they would have to put up with the restricted hours, protested at the lack of warning. Some couples with young families found that after they had fed their children and put them to bed there was not enough gas with which to cook their own meal. A number of homes faced the possibility of having no hot water this morning, their water-heating services being normally turned on from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. There was a rush in some electrical supply shops yesterday afternoon when some gas-users who had heard of the cuts tried to buy water immersion heaters, electric jugs, and othe. 'appliances. Primus stoves were also in demand.

Old coal ranges in some houses were pressed into service last night for the first time for many years. Butchers expect that there will be an increased demand for meat which can be cooked quickly and easily without needing to go into an oven. • The secretary of the Canterbury Master Bakers’ Association (Mr G. R. Burrowes) said last evening that no member of the association used gas for his ovens. It might be possible that smaller bakers used gas. Pastrycooks who were accustomed •to cook during the early hours of the morning would be inconvenienced, he added, but most did not cook until after 6 a.m., and he did not think there would be any shortage.