COAL DEPOT FOR THE BRITISH NAVY.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 136099, 25 April 1908, Page 3

COAL DEPOT FOR THE BRITISH NAVY.

I ~ (press association telegram.* AUCKLAND, April 24. J The Harbour Board, in committee this afternoon considered the lettoi from the Marine Department in regard to tho establishment of a ooo! depot for the Navy at Auckland. The chairman said .the Board coulc not supply tho coil cheaper than the Xavy could got it direct from the steamer, but in times cf war it would be ii-jex.-airy to havo a ccaP depot. Mr J. B. Macfarlane said if the Board stored coal for tho Nary it would deteriorate, and the Board would lose money. Mr'Xapier saU a Bill had been passed enabling tho Board to store coal for tho Xavy and sell it from timo to timo in ca.*" ef -war. A.supply of coal was tho. breath of lifo to a Vessel of war. He. maintained that Auckland, ns a naval station, should- havo a 00-al depot. Mr Ha-mer (the Board's engineer) estimated the- con at £10.000. Mr Mocfarkmo snid in times of peace tin" Board would Io.>? on all the oca! it stored and afterwerdra Fold. >Ie hzA no objection to providing a (!<>Mt. but ho objected to storing ooal at" a Ices for the u."-o of tho Xavy. Mr Napier Raid lie coneicirrrd the Admiralty should pay loks on tho conl. and also interest- on tho money exjxrdocl on the requisite iiMchinery. He moved ''That the Board is prepared j to provide medern machinery for the j coaling of H.M. Navy at Auckland. , and provide a coal depot, provide! that i interest upon the capital cost of supplying such machinery ie borne by tho Admiralty; eko that tho ©pgin-cer be instructed during his visit to Lo;::!on to interview tho Admiralty upon these matters." Mr Macfarlane seconded the motion, which was adopted with the addition of the words ''and t-ltat the Admiralty j also provide for a .sinking fund." j r * t