WEST COAST COAL

Grey River Argus, 1 July 1944, Page 4

WEST COAST COAL

Serious Lack at Auckland

GAS SUPPLY GREATLY CUT DOWN.

P.A. AUCKLAND, June 30. After to-morrow, the domestic consumers of gas in Auckland will- .receive a restricted supply, an<j the distribution to industrial consumers will cease entirely. A statement' to this effect was made to-night by the manager of the Auckland Gas*'. Company, Mr. Rupert Worley. He said that the restrictions were' necessary on account of a shortage of West Coast coal in Auckland. Mr. Worley said that normal gas pressure would be available for domestic consumers during the following hours: From 6.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m.; from 11 a.m. to 1.15 p.m.; and from 4-p.m. to 6.30 p.m. At ether times the pressure would be' reduced to an unusable degree. The hospitals, hotels and restaurants would be placed on the same basis as domestic consumers.

“Owing to circumstances entirely outside the control of anyone in Auckland, the company is facing one of the most serious positions that has been placed before it for many years,” said Mr. Worley. “We have enough coal to enable us to continue on a restricted basis for about a week, ana' it is not certain that further supplies will be available then.”