Story: Coal and coal mining

Gas stoves

Gas stoves

The two stoves in this Christchurch kitchen photographed in about 1915 use gas produced from bituminous coal. New Zealand coal production more than doubled between the turn of the 20th century and the First World War, Part of the demand came from town gasworks, which supplied households with coal gas for cooking and heating. At this time, most of New Zealand’s coal came from the West Coast.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, The Press (Christchurch) Collection (PAColl-3031)
Reference: 1/1-017707; G

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Alan Sherwood and Jock Phillips, 'Coal and coal mining - The 20th century', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/7430/gas-stoves (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Alan Sherwood and Jock Phillips, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 14 Apr 2021