ACUTE SHORTAGE OF COKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19028, 27 May 1925, Page 12

ACUTE SHORTAGE OF COKE.

CONSERVATION BY TRADE. GOOD SUBSTITUTE IN USE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] CIIKISTCnUItCE. Tuesday. From inquiries made among coal merchants it was learned that there are ample supplies of coal and wood available in Christchurch and unless something unforeseen happens there should bo no shortage this winter. There is, however, an acuto shortage of coke. "You might as well look for golden sovereigns as look for coke in Christchurch," was the way in which ono coal merchant expressed" it. He said the shortage of coke was not peculiar to Christchurch, but was common practically all over New Zealand. Tho growing use of electricity had resulted in a decrease in tho demand for gas and henco less coko was being turned out. Further, a now process in tho manufacture of gas had resulted in a smaller quantity of coke being obtained. With an increase in tho nso of tho hot water system of heating buildings tho demand for coke had grown considerably during tho past few years, tho merchant said, and experiments had been conducted to discover a substitute. These had been successful, a good mixture having been obtained, and being used a good deal for tho furnaces. Merchants would not sell coke for ordinary household purposes as the supplies available had to bo conserved for industries and other purposes that were essential. As far as tho prico of coal is concerned there has been only a slight increase compared with tho summer. Tho greater demand for coal in tho winter timo usually has tho effect of putting tho prico np. '' . , In connection with wood for fuel, it is interesting to note that arrangements aro now being made to obtain supplies of wood from co-operative parties of workers on the West Coast.