CITY GAS SUPPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25001, 18 September 1944, Page 4

CITY GAS SUPPLY

RESTORING SERVICE COAL EXPECTED TODAY The gas restrictions, which were imposed on domestic and industrial users last week 6n account of the shortage of coal, will probably be lifted late today. Carrying 1700 tons of coal for the Auckland Gas Co., the Kiwitea is expected to arrive from Greymouth early this afternoon. The general manager of the company, Mr R. Worley, said last night that the position bad improved so much over the weekend that the company would be in a position to lift the restrictions within a few hours of the ship's arrival. At the end of last week it was thought that the restrictions would have to remain until about the middle of the week, said Mr Worley. The change in the position had been brought about solely by the public's splendid response to appeals for economy in the use of gas. On Friday, the consumption was about 2,700.000 cubic feet, on Saturday it was under 2,800.000 cubic feet, and indications last night were that yesterday's consumption "would be not more than 2,700,000 cubic feet. The company had saved 1,000.000 cubic feet more than had been expected, and that represented a saving of 65 tons of coal. Mr Worley stated that last evening the company had absolutely no coal in store. The fast of it had gone into the retort house hoppers. However, owing to the capacity of the hoppers, the works wrtuld be able to carry on until the Kiwitea arrived, CLUB FOR FORCES FACILITIES IN ROME COMPLAINT MADE BY SOLDIER The administration of the New Zealand Forces Club in Rome is strongly criticised by an infantry sergeant in an airgraph letter to the Herald. He states in his letter, which was written on August 28, that he recently visited the club, which is an excellent hotel with 150 bedrooms, while the meals for the troops are "tip-top." "But," he asks, "is it generally known that "other ranks' are not permitted to stay overnight? To the uncommissioned soldier the club is nothing more than a really first-class cafe. New Zealand officers allocated leave stay at the club overnight. This allocation is necessarily small and only partially fills the accommodation. Officers from other forces, invited by the powers that be, fill all other rooms and reap tho benefit of moneys supplied by the New Zealand people for its fighting forces through the medium of the New Zealand patriotic funds." The writer concludes by asking whether the next club in Florence will be the same. MEN FROM PACIFIC FURLOUGH DRAFT ARRIVES A draft of officers and other ranks of the Second N.Z.E.F. in the Pacific has returned to New Zealand on furlough. The draft was accompanied by several medical cases, nurses, a number of members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps and a party of Air Force personnel. The members of the Third Division went to Papakura military camp, where arrangements were made for their departure for their home centres, Auckland and Taranaki men left the camp yesterday and other parties will leave today. A welcome to the draft was extended by the officer commanding the Northern Military District. Major-General P. H. Bell, on behalf of the Government, and also by Major-General H. E. Barrowclough, the Mayor of Auckland, Mr J. A. C. Allum, the president of the Auckland Returned Services Association, Mr A. P. Postlewaitc, and the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Mr ,T. H. Frater. TRANSPORT SERVICES ACQUISITION BY RAILWAYS (0.C.) WHANGAREI, Sunday More transport services in the north are being taken over by the Railway Road Services, which are already operating tlie main passenger services north from the rail at Otiria. The goods service now being operated b.v a private firm between the rail at Okaihau and the Mangonui County, which service includes live trucks and four licences, is being taken over, also a passenger and mail service between Mangonui and Kaikolie at present operated by another firm, _ The Railway Road Services also intend as from the end of this month to operate a new service for passengers and mail from Kawakawa over the recently opened road to Opua and Paihia. SHIPS LEAVE WESTPORT (p.A.) WESTPOET, Sunday The Kartigi for New Plymouth and the Wingatui for Wellington, both well loaded, sailed yesterday, but the overseas vessel concerning which the bunkering; dispute arose last week, which is to sail for Wellington, is detained in port through rough seas on the bar.