GASBAGS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 42, 19 February 1942, Page 9

GASBAGS

REPLACING PETROL

Quite a common sight in Christchurch, huge bags of coal gas are now making their appearance, as the petrol position becomes more acute, in Wellington. Carried on the roofs of cars, they reflect once more how in times of stress utility must perforce triumph over beauty. A photograph of a car equipped with a bag of coal gas appears on this page.

In general terms, it has been found that 290 cubic feet of Wellington gas (in different cities the gas has varying properties) is equal to one gallon of petrol. The only cars that have been observed employing coal gas from the balloon-like bag locally are 8 h.p. models, and the bag, of treated canvas, covers the roof of the cax% and holds about 50 cubic feet. The distance the vehicle can cover, without a refill, is therefore small, but sufficient for trips round the city. In some other cities, however, the balloon-builders have put their hearts and souls into the job, and the containers stretch the whole length of the car, from bumper to bumper, and are stayed to the mudguards with metal rods. In the local examples the bracing consists of railings round the roof.

Local attempts.to provide compressed coal gas for private motor-car pro-