Petrol problem solved in SA and SWA

CAPE ARGUS - 1939, March 22

Petrol reserves were referred to by the Minister of Defence, Mr. O. Pirow, when he surveyed the Union’s defences in the Assembly last evening.

Mr. Pirow said the Government was considering the possibilities of alcohol being produced from Natal sugar cane, and also whether oil might not be converted into petrol in time of need.

About a year ago a departmental committee was appointed to consider proposals submitted by the Natal sugar industry. The scheme was dependent on the compulsory mixing of petrol and alcohol. Similar proposals submitted to the Government some years ago for the compulsory mixing of petrol and alcohol produced from maize were rejected. The committee has not completed its investigation yet.

Private companies in Natal and Germiston are producing annually about 3 000000 gallons of alcohol from sugar cane and maize.

The committee last year recommended a survey of coal deposits to see what supplies of coal were suitable for the Fisher-Tropsch and hydrogenation processes for converting coal into oil and petrol. It also recommended that tests be carried out on a fairly large scale. This is still being considered by the Government.

Plans for distilling maize and sugar cane can be obtained from a number of countries.

SWA petrol problem solved

A South-West African farmer, Mr. J. Delport, has solved his fuel problem, with petrol at from 2s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. (in isolated parts) a gallon. Gas is generated by passing water over burning charcoal and used with a ten percent admixture of petrol vapour, 150 miles of running being obtained from a sackful of charcoal and a gallon of petrol. (CAPE TIMES - 1933, April 21)

Production of South African Spirit

The first step towards the production of South African petrol was taken last night with the delivery of 25 000 gallons of crude petroleum to the refining plant of the South African Torbanite Mining and Refining Company at Boksburg. This photograph shows Mr. Stirling, manager of the S.A.T.M.A.R., directing pumping operations. 

(THE STAR Johannesburg - 1935, September 19) 

Have a look at the petrol prices on 1918, January 7

(THE STAR Johannesburg)