SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 81, 3 April 1908, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS.

A telegram was received from Huntly this morning stating that Ralph's coal was : not - working yesterday owing to the " shortage of trucks. On Tuesday afternoon, also, the men lost half ,a day for a similar reason. Talking with one of the directors upon this matter, a- "'Star" reporter was iiuormed that besides the loss of trade, and inconvenience : to the public in not getting a supply of coal, this means that 200 men have lost half a day's work this week because there were not sufficient trucks on hand to carry away the coal. "In addition," ne added, "this also means losa to the company, as certain expenses are going on all the same when the mine is not working, and, of course, there is also the loss of revenue to the railway. The reporter, on application to the Railway Department, Was informed that the shortage was, in the main, due to the heavy shipping traffic during the early part of the week, at both Auckland and Onehunga, especially as regards the unloading of coal and the outward traffic at the latter port. The delay was quite unavoidable, and is described as occurring in such instances, only at rare intervals. The matter, however (it was stated) was attended to< immediately when it occurred.