GAS COMPANIES AND COAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 June 1933, Page 3

GAS COMPANIES AND COAL

DOMINION SUPPLIES PREFERRED. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, June 29. The position of gas companies in New Zealand in regard to the use of Dominion coal was explained this morning by the manager of the Christchurch Gas Company, Mr. E. W. Reed. Mr. Reed’s remarks were a comment on a statement made to the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. Bitchener, by the president, of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce, Mr. P. J. McLean, to the effect, that ho understood that the retorts used by some gas companies would not take New Zealand coal. Mr. Reed said that Mr. McLean was referring to vertical retorts, which were used in Dunedin, Timaru, Wellington, Napier and Wanganui. In the i recess cl' carbonisation, New Zealand coals swelled more than Australian, so that, instead of falling down the retort unaided Hie coal had to be forced down, with a. risk of damage. It. was thus a matter of policy to use a. mixtun' of Australian and New Zealand coal. The Christchurch Gas Company, which used horizontal retorts, drew al! its coal supplies from within the Dominion. The suggestion that plants should be altered to permit the use of New Zealand coal by companies with vertical retorts was absurd. Alteration would mean entire replacement, which was so costly as to be impossible.!. There was no doubt that the policy of gas companies was to use New Zealand coal wherever possible.