INCREASED COAL PRODUCTION

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23319, 3 May 1941, Page 5

INCREASED COAL PRODUCTION

DOMESTIC SUPPLY “SATISFACTORY ”

:• An’increased production fotthefirst •three, months o t this year •of 100.828 tons of / coal, an increase cent, on the.-procuctioii period last year,, was announced oy the Minister for I 'Mines Xthe-Hon. If. C, Webb) yesterday. For tyta^glPiK. the production from.the principal collieries was, 45,712 tons higher than for March last year., , *• -r>- v The coal stock position of the railways in the South Island was quite goody but in the’North-Island, although, ; there was her nejed for icor.cern, the position had •> to—be watched ■ ■ very! closely to ensure that an' adequflte reserve“ of coal ,was maintained,* Mr Webb said. ; The household stock position was 'also and there Was ho need for the public to be apprehensive of, rationing :under present conditions. There had been one Or two inquiries recently from merchants for supplies of Waikato coal, but that was mainly due to decreased,; output, oyer the Easter-period and .the-, heavy, railway demand. Some adjustments had been made and there should be ample household coal how available to the public. ' . • The two new State mines in the North Island at Mangapehi and Tatu were how producing 1000 tons weekly, and that output was expected to in-crease-within a few months, Mr Webb said. : ' ■ "■ ''