NO GAS AGAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25357, 12 November 1945, Page 4

NO GAS AGAIN

MEALTIME STOPPAGE "OUTLOOK VERY POOR" I COAL VESSELS DELAYED Once again there was no gas in Auckland during the meal period last evening, and it is doubtful if there will be any this evening. The colliers Kartigi and Karepo, which were to have arrived today with coal, have been delayed through a mishap to the loriner, but the Iviuitea is expected today with about 700 tons. Carrving 2200 tons of good gas-making coal, ihe Kartigi left Gre.ymouth on Friday, but broke a tail-shaft while at son south of Westport. She was then taken in tow by the Karepo, which was carrying 1000 tons of gas coal for Auckland'! and the two vessels are expected to reach Wellington today. The Kartigi will go into dry dock and the Karepo is"expected to arrive at Auckland on Thursday. . The general manager of the Auckland Gas Company, Mr R. Worley. said last night that the outlook tor today was very poor. A supply of gas would be given this morning from 6.30 to eight o'clock, but the position after that was uncertain. There would be no midday service and the evening supply would he dependent on three factors. Iliey were that consumers did not use gas during the unspecified periods; that industry used no gas at all; and that the coal from the Kiwitea was made avail* able in time for it to have an effect on today's production. Consumers on the high levels were still using oras in the restricted hours, said Mr Worley. The failure to provide an evening service yesterday was due to that, as, operating on Waikato coal, the works was unable to keep ahead of th« afternoon's consumption. "Kvervtliing possible is being done to provide the present meagre service." said Mr Worley. "It is the best we ciin give under the circumstances, and the only alternative is for us to close down the works. If consumers are not satisfied with what we are doing for them, they have the matter entirely in their own hands, because tbev can use the alternative we have—they can turn off their meters and refrain from using the gas."