Gas supply set for boost

Press, 30 September 1983, Page 5

Gas supply set for boost

Depleted liquefied petroleum gas supplies in Christchurch could be boosted early next week. L.P.G. supplies have virtually dried up over the last week, but a consignment of up to 80 tonnes could be loaded in the Union Sydney at Wellington tomorrow.

Mr J. S. Campbell, general manager of Rockgas Ltd, in Wellington said last evening that the drying-up of supplies in Christchurch had been caused by shipping difficulties. “Gas used to be taken to the South Island by the Union Hobart and the Union Lyttelton, but these have been moved to other runs

and the company is bringing new vessels on to the run,” he said.

Mr Campbell said that the Union Company had done a tremendous job in bringing L.P.G. to the South Island, but over the years supplies between the two islands had been tenuous.

“When the bulk depot is set up in Dunedin next March or April the supply will be much more guaranteed,” he said.

The general manager of Blue Star Taxis in Christchurch, Mr K. J. Murphy, said that his fleet had been out of L.P.G since the weekend.

“Gas supplies have been bad news for the South

Island,” said Mr Murphy. “Our men get tuned up to gas then they have to switch back to petrol. It has cost them money to install L.P.G. tanks and they cannot get the full benefit.

“It has been a futile exercise. Some believe they may as well have stayed on petrol,” he said. Mr Campbell said that essential supplies for hospitals and industty had been flown across Cook Strait and brought south by tanker.

Mr V. W. Mathews, of the Gas Company’s L.P.G. Centre in Sydenham, was not available for comment last evening.