PRODUCTION OF TAR

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXIII, Issue 97, 28 April 1939, Page 8

PRODUCTION OF TAR

OUTPUT BY GASWORKS. RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL. The following recommendations were contained in a report by the business manager of the Blenheim Gasworks (Mr R. J. Dunckley) tabled at last evening's Borough Council meeting: — It has been intimated to me that the works department for the current finaneial year may limit its requisition of gas tar to 15,000 gallons. If this is adhered to a serious position for this department may arise, both as to storage and sale. Over the past many years the works department has absorbed from 80 to 90 per cent. of the tar produced, and at one period, so great was its demand, an embargo was placed on outside saies. The result is that to-day there is very little public demand for tar. For the finaneial year just ended saies were as follows: Works department, , 24,000 gallons; public saies 2400 gallons. I estimate the position for the current year to be as follows: Tar in stoek 3000 gallons, production for year 27,000 gallons, total 30,000 gallons. "In view of the existing market I recommend that ihe works department endeavour to see its way clear to absorb 25,000 gallons, leaving the gas department to find a public market for the balance of 5000 gallons. If it is found possible to increase public saies, the works department allocation might be reduced to 20,000 gallons (the same as the year just ended). It should be borne in mind that last year the price to the works department was reduced from 8d to 6d per gallon for dehydrated tar. "I have arranged with the

engineer of the Wellington Gas Company to have an analysis taken of our tar with a view to ascertaining what improvement can be made in the viscosity content. Samples have been forwarded, and I ' hope to report on this matter at the next meeting." The report was adopted.