SUBSTITUTE FUEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24949, 23 June 1942, Page 4

SUBSTITUTE FUEL

MANUFACTURE OF CHAR LABOUR POSITION DISCUSSED The suggestion that the Gas Department might consider applying to the industrial man-power officer for labour for the making of char was advanced by Cr D. C. Cameron at the meeting of the City Council last night. The meeting was attended by the Mayor, Mr A. H. Allen, and Crs Cameron, R. Walls, J. McCrae, J. Wilson, J. W. Munro, MJ? ± L. M. Wright, M. C. Henderson, E. J. Smith, D. C. Jolly, and W. B. Taverner. Cr Cameron's remarks followed the presentation of a report by the Gas Committee, in which it was intimated that there had been numerous requests foe the manufacture of char for use in motor vehicles. The report stated that the work of producing the material could be -done only by fit young men, and the requests had been,declined because this type of labour was not available. Release of Men

Cr Cameron said that regulations now in force made the provision of labour possible in cases in which it was deemed necessary. Men might be released from camp to do the work. The Mayor said there was a good deal in Cr Cameron's suggestion. If the' Dominion were to be denied petrol for a lengthy period, it might be neces T sary to use all the resources of the country to meet the position. The manufacture of char at the gasworks might open up a big industry. The chairman, Cr McCrae, in reply, said that char could be landed in Dunedin at a price £2 a ton cheaper than it could be manufactured at the gasworks. He indicated that the matter would be further discussed with the gasworks manager (Mr H. Horrocks), but he suggested that the view might be taken by the man-power officer that the manufacture of char could not be regarded as " essential," as some of it, no doubt, would be used for joyriding. Crude Tar as Fuel

The chairman also referred to the work of Mr Horrocks in developing the use of crude tar as a substitute for oil fuel. It was hoped that some of it would be rased in the railway workshops. " I think there is a big opening for the use of this fuel, he added. "If we can supply it cheaply enough—and I think we can—it will take the place of coal in a number of furnaces."