THE GAS SUPPLY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16679, 28 February 1920, Page 7

THE GAS SUPPLY.

LOCAL COAL EXHAUSTED. STOPPAGE TO-MORROW POSSIBLE. The position of the Now "Plymouth gasworks in regard to coal has now readied a more critical stage than at any previous period and l , if no relief is received to-morrow morning, it appears that the gas supply will become exhausted. This crisis has come about through continued: delay in the dispatch _ to New Plymouth of the steamer ivokiri, which left Greymouth a week ago for New Plymouth, via Wellington. The Gas Company was then already borrowing coal. Owing to bad weather and other causes the Kokiri is still at Wellington. To-day advice was received that she goes to Westport, sailing to-day, to loud coal for New Plymouth, in addition to that -which she already has on board — 250 tons for the gasworks at New Plymouth, ?5 tons for the Hawora gasworks, and 15 ions for the Eltham gasworks. This moans that the coal will not reach the works here until Thursday next or. at earliest, late on Wednesday. The local supplies upon which tho gasworks can draw have now become exhausted. To-day small quantities borrowed from the Harbour Board and a country consumer were being used, and the stock at the works is only sufficient to last till about noon to-morrow.

The local representative of the Wellington Coal Trade Committee (Mr. A. L. Humphries) has wired to this effect and asked for relief. He considers that a cut in the gas ran only he avoided if some railway coal is made, available to tide the gasworks over the next few days.