GAS NEARLY EXHAUSTED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 21 July 1944, Page 3

GAS NEARLY EXHAUSTED

SERIOUS POSITION IN AUCKLAND Auckland, July 20. With the last of the gas supplies in Auckland being exhausted there is little prospect of restoration of the service before Sunday if the strikers concerned on the production side resume work to-day. (Up till noon there was no indication that they will do so). Sufficient gas may be available for cooking one meal on Saturday. Since yesterday the position has deteriorated as the result of a draw-off for cooking last night’s meals, and a number of households .now have no gas at all. Some houses are still using the gas left in the mains but pressure is very weak and already in many suburbs housewives are doing their best with open fires or benzine tin stoves. The Manager of the company, Mr R. Worley, said to-day that should the workers decide lo resume work this afternoon, the company could engage only a limited number until steam was raised in the boilers for the operation of the rest of the plant. Mr Worley said it was unfortunate that members of the Gas Workers’ Union who were already receiving a bonus had decided on a sympathy strike, as had they remained at work a restricted supply could have been maintained for a few more days. Of 500 on strike 300 were members of the Gas Workers’ Union. In addition to householders some industries are adversely affected by the non-supply, as well as some nursing homes and a private hospital which are seriously inconvenienced. At one city hotel this morning the cooking for the midday meal was done in the backyard. Restaurant proprietors in many cases have been forced to amend the usual menus.—P.A.