CRISIS PERIOD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 25 May 1945, Page 4

CRISIS PERIOD

GAS SUPPLY DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS WARNING BY~MAYOR , CO-OPERATION BY CONSUMERS ESSENTIAL PRODUCTION FROM NEW RETORTS NEXT WEEK The coming five or six days will be a crisis period in the Nelson gasworks supply but by the end of next w'eek it is expected that eight new retorts will be in' operation and the production capacity of the plant will then be more than adequate to meet the consumption needs of the city. However, in the meantime the supply position will be critical. The gasholder at the works was nearly empty to-day and the 12 retorts now in operation cannot produce sufficient to meet even the present demand. From enquiries made into the position to-day it was learned that if a break-down in the supply in the next few’ days, even ' during rationed hours, is to be avoided, then the co-operation of consumers generally will be required in restricting the use of gas appliances to bare necessities. MAYOR’S APPEAL The Mayor (Mr E. R. Neale) has made an appeal to consumers to restrict the use of gas to the bare necessities during the next few days while l the new retorts are being warmed up prior to being put into full production. “A report which has been submitted by the City Engineer gives the good news that the gas supply should be considerably improved during the course of next week,” said the Mayor. “In the meantime, however, it is apparent that the available supply will be far from sufficient to meet the normal demand, which, if continued, will empty the gasholder in a day or two and leave, the city without gas until the new retorts can be put into use. “I accordingly appeal to all consum-r ers to restrict the use of gas to bare necessities for about a week, and warn them that if this is not done then they can expect to have no gas at all 1 for some days next week.” NEW RETORTS BEING WARMED UP The City Engineer (Mr C. I. Kidson) stated to-day that the installation of the eight new retorts at the gasworks was completed some days ago and these retorts are now going through the process of being warmed up gradually before they can be put into operation. This warming up could not be expedited without the risk of cracking the new retorts. The twelve retorts on which the plant would be operating in the meantime could not keep the supply going. When the eight new retorts became available in about a week’s time the production capacity of the plant would be nearly doubled and the full demands could be met without rationing. The Engineer suggested that if consumers could refrain Jrorn using gas for clothes washing this week-end and keep heaters turned off as far as possible 'the position would be helped considerably. "In a week’s time it is expected that the present difficulties will, be overcome,” he concluded.