A COAL QUEUE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16206, 8 May 1918, Page 9

A COAL QUEUE.

RUSH OF CUSTOMERS. "What's cfn?'' asked a passer-br of a friend in the crowd of people besieging the Worcester street entrance to the Government Buildings yesterday morning. A boll attached to the firealarm apparatus there was ringing, and a look of determination was observable on the faces of the crowd, so that these circumstances naturally tended to arouse curiosity. However,,tlie gathering was merely due to the fact that the State coal office had intimated that orders for coal would be taken that day, after a stoppage of about a week, and before 9 a.m. customers had congregated at the entrance, anxious to make sure of their fuel. The ringing of the boll was a coincidence, and apparently accidental. So eager were people to get their orders in early, that when the offico opened they surged forward wildly, and when no more could be admitted pressed against tho entrance in a manner detrimental to the doors, to say nothing of hats, baskets, and clothes. A customer who took up his stand at the bottom of the stone steps at the entrance a few minutes after 9 a.m., succeeded in covering the few yards to tho counter by 10 o'clock, having been in the meanwhile nearly "flattened out." Steps were taken durinp the morning which bettered the conditions oomsiderably, hut many people relented having to "battle'' for their coaf in tho manner indicated. The number of customers becamo less as tho day wore on, but up till the last the staff were kept busily at work. Those who ordered coal in tne morning were informed that it would be delivered in about ten days— a rather long time for some of them to make one bag of coal last. A representative of "The Press" was iniormed that a- boatload of coal lind arrived that day, and another consignment was to have followed almcst immediately, but it had been diverted to Wellington. However, a boatload was expected at about the end of tho week. The local office could never bo sure of cargoes reaching here at. stated dates, and as cash had to be paid with orders, they did not like to tako people's money unless they comld guarantee delivery within a reasonable time. As soon as the public heard that orders were being taken, a rush took place. Tho distribution of tho coal was arranged by the head office, the reporter was informed, but more would probably he available as soon as the railways got their requisite stocks. About 2000 orders ha'd been taken over the counter that day. each customer being allowed one bag of cool, and wood and coke,- if asked for. Tho present supply of coal had now been sold out.