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Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 222, 18 September 1919, Page 7

There are undoubted indications that the coal shortage has reached a critical stage in its effect on industries which depend on regular coal supplies for their existence. In cases where the industry is not of primary importance, and can arrange to get along for a time on the stocks in hand, the question of shutting down until regular supplies of coal arc available is being seriously considered. Already the paper mills at Riverhead, a branch of the New Zealand Paper Mills, Limited, has decided to stop producing until a consistent coal supply is available, and the mills were closed yesterday until further notice. Of the 60 hands employed at the mill it is proposed to keep about half in occupation at odd work about the place meantime, but 30 or more will be out of work till the mill re-opens. It is also reported that -Wilson Portland Cement Company is seriously contemplating sinjilar action if the supply of coal does not improve by the end of the week. Mr. and Mrs. J. Wiggs, of Sydney, are staying at "Stonehurst." The Hon. E. W. Alison, M.L.C., left 'Auckland for last night.