Fuel Technologist May Be Appointed In Christchurch

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29189, 27 April 1960, Page 18

Fuel Technologist May Be Appointed In Christchurch

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, April 26. The appointment of a fuel technologist for Christchurch is under consideration by the Mines Department. His duties will be to persuade Christchurch industries to use coal more efficiently, and if possible in greater quantity. Asked tonight about similar appointments in Wellington and Auckland, the Under Secretary of Mines (Mr P. M. Outhwaite) said that the scheme was launched in Wellington two years ago, and was being extended to other cities. The idea was to match services offered by the oil companies, and to promote greater use of coal by assisting firms to greater efficiency.

The fuel technologist in each main centre will have special imported instruments with which he can investigate plants which, for example, produce too much smoke from their furnaces. Thus he can assist in checking the amount of smog thrown up in an industrial area, and can improve the heat-making potential of a steam plant. The fuel engineer who has been carrying out this task in Wellington is Mr P. R. M. Hutton. Recently Mr C. W. Stack, of Hamilton, who has been appointed

to the Auckland post, has been working with Mr Hutton, carrying out boiler tests and advising on the better burning of coal. Asked tonight when the Christchurch appointment would be made, Mr Outhwaite said that applications had been invited for the position, but it was not always possible to indicate when the man with the right qualifications would become available. The successful applicant would have an introductory course in Wellington with Mr Hutton or his successor.