Gas Heating Approved For New Hospital At Cashmere

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27374, 12 June 1954, Page 8

Gas Heating Approved For New Hospital At Cashmere

(From Out Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON. June 11

Steam and heating services in the new Cashmere Hospital will be gasfired. The Cabinet has adopted a recommendation on these lines and the Minister of Health (Mr J. R. Marshall» has advised the North Canterbury Hospital Board accordingly.

Mr Marshall said today that after a j comprehensive investigation of the al-1 ternative methods of heating, he was satisfied that the adoption of gas was the most satisfactory solution. Many factors had to be considered in reaching a decision, said the Minister, and he had received valuable assistance from Mr H. R. Lake, member of Parliament for Lyttelton.. who had taken an active and constructive part in the negotiations: and from the Christchurch Gas Company, which had adopted a co-operative and publicspirited attitude.

Mr Marshall said that the original plans for all-electric steam and heating services for the hospital were changed because of the considerably greater operating costs compared with other methods, as well as because there ■was no assurance that a greater demand than 2000 kilowatts could be met. The hospital would require 2800 Kilowatts for the first building stage, and 3500 kilowatts on completion. Operating Costs Mr Marshall said that a conference of experts and consultants of the hospital board, and of departmental experts agreed on comparative annual operating costs of the alternative methods of supplying steam and heating services to the hospital as follows: Coal .. .. .. £41.639 -- -- £60.533 Electricity . . £64,150 The figure for gas was subsequently . reduced to £57.032. said Mr Marshall This mean that gas cost £ 15.393 a year "?<£e 111311 CO31; and electricity cost £22,511 a year more than coal. The conference agreed that oil fuel, another alternative, should not be considered because of the substantial overseas exchange which would be needed, and because it was not thought wise to rely on an overseas product lor a vitally essential service, Mr Marshall said.

Strong objection was voiced against the use of a coal-fired plant on the ground of a possible grit and smoke nuisance in the suburban area of Cashmere. ’ said the Minister. “Expert advice indicates that this nuisance • could be practically eliminated, but* the danger that it might occur cannot' be entirely disregarded. On the other hand, it is clear on ! economic grounds that coal should be used. Before the use of gas could be* ? justified, it was necessary to * bridge the gap of £15.000 as between the use of gas and coal. ‘Taking a wider view of the problem, it became apparent that while' 1- might cost the Government more if J

the steam and heating services were provided by gas, the Government would earn a comparable sum through the Mines and Railways Departments if for which there are at present insufficient markets, could be used by the gas company. Use of Slack Coal “Discussions on this aspect were held with the Under-Secretary of Mines (Mr C. H. Benney). and representatives of the gas company, and it was agreed that, if the company were given the contract for servicing the hospital, it would use 7000 tons a year iof Denniston slack coal of medium sulphur content." said Mr Marshall. "The output and productive-capacity in this class of coal greatly exceeds I the demand for it. Accordingly, the • recommendation that gas be used was ■ adopted.” Mr Marshall said this decision would di pel fears of a smoke nuisance, and would result in the use of coal which might otherwise be wasted. The course adopted would conform to the general Government policy for the bet- | ter use of national resources.