COAL SHORTAGE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16398, 18 December 1918, Page 2

COAL SHORTAGE.

THE POSITION IN WELLINGTON.

For some considerable time past, owing to various factors, "Wellington has Ijv no means beou overburdened ■with a supply of coal, aud the State and municipal services, and some industrial concerns, have, from time to time, been rcmewhat seriously threatened (says thew "Post"'). Although considerably relieved, the position is still rather_ acute, and undoubtedly not alone in Wellington, but throughout tho Dominion, there is a very mil shortage.

So iar as Wellington is concerned, those best qualified to judge are of the opinion that there is not, nor is thero likely to bo, any acute shortage in regard to household supplies. Some of the dealers are running a littlo bare, and aro not able to supply all the coal that customers would like, but- generally speaking everyone able to get a little; enough to tarry on with. The influenza epidemic was responsible for the eating uo of considerable stocks, hut now that the epidemic is over, and the weather apparently growing more summerlike, the household demand is considered likely to diminish a good deal. So the chief concern will probably he in regard to coal for bunker and railway purposes. There has been a very considerable decrease in the West Coast output during this year, as also lias thero been in the Waikato mines, ■which decrease was accentuated by the recent epidemic, which hit the minors fairly severely, very many men being laid aside. The absence of shipments, too, from Newcastle iias accentuated the. of the position, which is likely to bo still further affected by the fact that the West Coast mines will clceo down next -week for probably a fortnight's holiday. It is understood that both the tramway and electric light departments of the Wellington Citv Corporation hold only very small stocks of good coal, and that the supply of the Railway Department is not by any means sufricient to eliminate anv feeling of anxiety. Indeed. it has been suggested that if the position in regard to supply does not materially improve, there may have to be a very considerable "cut" on the railway services, if not during the holiday season, immediately afterwards.