Gas Shortage

Hutt News, Volume 16, Issue 47, 26 May 1943, Page 2

Gas Shortage

The I'etone and Lownr Hutt. Gas Lighting Hoard issues the folowing statement: —

Though there is no immediate acute shortage of gas in the Hutt Valley, consumers are urged' to practise economy to assist, the Board in its endeavour to keep essential industries fully supplied so that production which is vital to the war effort be not retarded.

Consumers are perhaps not fully aware of the difficulties the Board are working under to maintain supplies both to industrial and domestic users. Serious shortage of manpower brought about by the war period' has depleted our staff and repeated requests for labour to the Manpower Authorities have not been successful, due no doubt to the needs of the Forces. The Board appreciates the fact that the Government is doing all ;'i its power to assist but with a 20 11 rit increase in the gas demand for the

current year consumers will realise both industrial and domestic, that waste should be cut right out and 110 effort spared to economise in every way possible. The Board's chamber oven carbonizing plant, which would have been extended but for the war period, is now working to capacity and all the horizontal retorts have had to be brought into use again until such time as it is possible for extensions to be made. The* Board will do everything possible during the difficult winter months to maintain the supply of gas, but the co-operation of all users is asked to prevent the hardship that will come if rationing becomes' necessary.