HIGH COST OF COAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 116, 20 May 1942, Page 4

HIGH COST OF COAL

PROBLEM FOR GAS WORKS OPERATING EXPENSES UP The rising cos'.s of coal created a serious problem and were mainly responsible for a loss on the years working, stated the gas works, engineer and manager (Mr. Stone). Estimated expenditure on coal for the 1941-42 financial year was £23,400, but the actual cost was £26.705. ‘‘The supply of coal was the cause of much concern, as stocks have frequently been exhausted before a further shipment arrived,” Mr. Stone added. ‘‘Endeavours have always been made to have six months’ supply on hand, but due to war conditions the most we can manage is from six Lo seven weeks. ‘‘All coal used for gas production is still discharged at Castlecliff —the Gas Works Wharf is never used—and the longer this position obtains the more costs wil’ increase. Coal has generally been transported to the works by rail, but great difficulty has been experienced in securing sufficient labour to discharge the trucks. The last time the vessel was in port the transport of coal was made by motor lorry, and this proved a quick and convenient method. “Transport by lorry is equally as satisfactory as that by rail, but owing to changing conditions it is doubtful whether sufficient lorries can be obtained for this work in the future. Should they be unavailable, then arrangements would have to be made for storing coal at Castlecliff, in which event the unoccupied portion of the gas-holder site could be used. “It is interesting to compare the price of coal to-day with that ruling in 1938—£2 10s 6(1 a ton as against £1 19s fkL In addition to this increase there is the extra cost involved by the discharge of the coal at Castlecliff instead of at the Gas Wharf, and this is estimated at 4s 6d per ton. “An added disadvantage of the discharge of coal at Castlecliff is that, as it is left in the open, exposed to all weathers, it is frequently necessary to use wet coal with a resultant loss in carbonising returns. However, there seems little possibility of a solution of the coal problem until world affairs become n?ore normal. “The quantity of coal used during the year was 9647 tons, comprising 5788 tons of Newcastle and 3859 tons of mixed New Zealand coal,” Mr. Stone added.