THE COAL SHORTAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 190, 12 August 1919, Page 5

THE COAL SHORTAGE.

CITY LIGHTING. MAY BE CURTAILED SHORTLY. A conference was held yesterday between Mr. A. J. Entriean, Deputy-Mayor, Mr. A. Wyllie, city electrical engineer, nnd Mr. J. Ivowe, engineer to the Auckland Gus Company, to consider the question of the shortage of coal, and whether or not it might be requisite to reduce the lighting. The Coal Control Department at Wellington forwarded a, communication to the Town Clerk (Mr. 11. M. Wilson) calling attention to the critical position of the coal supply of the Dominion, and urging that every effort should be made to reduce consumption, and conserve the present stocks. The letter asked that the Council, if it considered expedient, should bring into operation the powers granted under the lighting regulations gazetted on June 6, 1917, the object of which is to impose restrictions for the purpose of preventing nlasteful consumption of coal, gas, or electricity. The conference decided that it was not necessary yet to impose any restrictions in the city, but unless the coal supply materially improves, it may be required to take action in a week or two. The question of extinguishing gas lamps at midnight will be considered by the Works Committee of the City Council next Thursday afternoon. Citizens should therefore exercise the strictest economy in order to avoid the Council having to bring the. restrictions into force.

Aβ far as the tramway service is concerned, steady supplies of coal hare been secured from the Waikato, and the reserve stocks are enough to ensure the service running for at least the next couple of weeks.

SHIPMENTS THIS WEEK.

During the week the local coal supply will be augmented to the extent of 17,(100 tons of Australian and AVestport, product. The tirst portion of this shipment arrived by the Otira on Sunday, and the vessel berthed at the King"'s whnrf to-day to discharge. She has 7,400 tons. The Union Company's Kaipoi is now due from Westport with Rlbout 2,600 tons, while another of the company's vessels, the Kaituna. is due on Wednesday from Newcastle with 2,700 tons. Another big consignment of over 4.000 tons -was loaded at Newcastle by the six-mnsted barquentinc E. K. Stirlings, which is due any day. Though these shipments are considerable, they will not affect the general coal position to any extent, as they will be distributed through two or three channels only. The coal brought by the Otira and E. R. Stirling are consigned to the N.Z. Railway Department, while that of the L'nion Company's steamers is for bunkering their own vessels, a proportion being diverted for the use of the Auckland Ga s Company.

I" XSATIS FA CTORY EXPLANATIONS. DEMANDS FROM WAIKATO. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTOX, this day. The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce again discussed the railway restriction to-night upon n resolution from the Hastings Chamber of Commerce, urging the Government to reorganise the coal industry, and to control the shipping and handling of coal. The Chamber decided to .support the I Hastings resolutions. Tho following rej solution was also passed:—"That in the opinion of the Chamber the explanation jof the controlling coal supplies is not satisfactory and that the Department foe asked to resume the normal service at once." It was also decided to point out that Wstika-to coal is used, and can bo used on the railways. The Association of the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce, replying to a letter, asking what step 3 had been taJcen regarding the railway restrictions, stated that a deputation had ■waited, upon the General Manager and had discussed the matter very fully, but in view of the opinion of railway experts the deputation \va.s unable to say whether the Department had adopted the only available method of conserving the coal. The opinion was expressed that the shortage of coal was very acute and constituted the crux of the whole question. MUNICIPAL COAL TRADING. TO CONTINUE IN CHRISTOHURCH. /By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRTSTCHURCH, this day. The City Council, after a,lengthy debate, decided, on the casting vote of the Ilayor, to continue jjermapently in inmnicipal coal .trading. , . . . .