MANUFACTURE OF GAS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 August 1930, Page 7

MANUFACTURE OF GAS

USE OF DOMINION COAL. Steady business was reported by the majority of gas, companies in the Dominion during the last financial year. Gas sales over the whole Dominion showed an increase of 3 per cent, in quantity and value, while revenue and expenditure rose by 2 per cent. There are 46 works in New Zealand, and the number of persons engaged during the year ended March 31, 1930, was 452,283, as against 464,122 in the previous year. The production of gas increased from 3,437,132,000 cubic feet in 1929 to 3,528,494,000 cubic feet, while the price of gas sold showed a similar percentage increase from £1,244,682 to £1,276,292. The consumption of coke increased by 1207 tons to 70,606 tons. More tar was produced, but the value showed a decline of 25 per Cent. * The striking feature of the returns is the large increase in the quantity of New Zealand coal used and the corresponding decline in imported coal. The amount of New Zealand coal employed increased from 132,900 tons in 1929, to 184,691 tons, an advance of 39 per cent. Imported coals receded by 51 per cent., the quantity consumed being 42,882 tons, as against 87,925 tons the previous year. The price was also slightly more favourable, the total cost .of coal,-j£4,60,872, representing, a fall of 4 per cent.