BUSINESS HAMPERED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12857, 4 March 1913, Page 5

BUSINESS HAMPERED.

HARVEST FOR COAL MERCHANTS.

SYDNEY, March 3. Many businesses to-day are greatly hampered by the want:of gas, and a large number of employees are temporarily idle. The churches last night were driven to all sorts of devices. At best the services had to be conducted in a truly dim religious light. The suburban railway stations were similarly situated, infrequent lamps only serving to show up the darkness. A curious spectacle was presented when the city, usually ringed by a wide area of well lighted streets, was enveloped in a pall of darkness, punctuated by moving lights as residents armed with lanterns paid calls or returned from church services. Boarding, 'houses,,, restaurants and hotels were specially hampered." The' Tush of usual customers was. augmented by those unablo to cook at their own homes. .A good percentage of suburban louses were unprovided with fuel and shoves, and the occupants were compelled to prepare their meals on a broiling hot day, outside. The air was filled with the aroma of cooking dinners from hundreds of back yard fires. Fuel men are reaping a rich harvest, and aro unable to fill, the demands, even at advanced prices. The decision of today's conference is anxiousljr awaited. Unless an 'early settlement ds reaoh--ed the situation will be really serious.