GAS POSITION SAVED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 201, 23 August 1944, Page 4

GAS POSITION SAVED

ARRIVAL OF COLLIER A serious situation which had developed at the Municipal Gas Works, Wanganui, when coal supplies were almost exhausted, was saved by the arrival at Castlecliff shortly before noon yesterday of the collier Rata, three days out from Greymouth. The vessel cleared the West Coast port at 11 o’clock last Saturday morning and was to have berthed at Castlecliff late on Sunday night, but on her passage to • Wanganui encountered heavy weather and a southerly gale. After sheltering till the conditions moderated, the collier arrived off the entrance at 8 o’clock yesterday morning and crossed the bar at 11.50 a.m. As the vessel had been delayed for several days in Greymouth, coal stocks at the Wanganui Gas Works were almost exhausted by Monday night, when the situation was described as desperate. No time was lost in making a start With unloading the Rata and sufficient coal to keep the plant in operation was rushed to the gas works immediately. The Rata brought 800 tons for local discharge, and is to sail at one o’clock this afternoon on her return to Greymouth, where she will load for New Plymouth.