THE COAL FAMINE.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 228, 23 September 1920, Page 5

THE COAL FAMINE.

NO SUPPLIES COMING, NOTHING DEFINITE FROM RAILWAYS. NO ACTIVE DEVELOPMENTS. TRAM STOPPAGE INEVITABLE. l'erhaps the only local services not likely to be seriously handicapped by lack of coal are the gasworks and the shipping companies. Mere driblets of fuel are keeping most of the other works and industries going, and the blank prospect of cold furnaces draws nearer with each passing day. With the present outlook, to-morrow, or Saturday at the latest, will bring the tramway holdup, and the industrial concerns that are direct coal-burners are struggling nearer to the verge of complete cessation. In fact, several factories and works are under restrictions today. Xo definite information is yet to hand regarding a railway cut, but the hint of a cut is gaining ground. Cargoes of 1500 tons from Newcastle and i>oo tons from Westport are due for the Gas Company to-morrow, but apart from this practically nothing is in sight. Even if the general difficulties of getting Australian coal were lifted to-day, supplies can scarcely arrive in time to prevent a considerable dislocation of many services. The more essential works of the district have not yet run quite to the brink of a breakdown, and as many of Auckland's wheels of industry arc twirled by municipal electricity there still remains a period of hope before the shafts may cease to turn. The important municipal works, such as water and drainage, will bo kept going for some time, though it is confessed there is little hope for the continuation of the tramways without interruption, and not much more for many a private venture. Meanwhile the miners at Huntly are marking time, waiting for word from Wellington to indicate the. course of the dispute. The towns along the line are all on short coal rations, otherwise there is only the natural and gradual tightening of the grip of this coal famine.