PROBLEM OF PLACING PAPAROA’S PRODUCTION

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29021, 9 October 1959, Page 17

PROBLEM OF PLACING PAPAROA’S PRODUCTION

(From Our Own Reporter)

GREYMOUTH, October 8.

The most pressing problem confronting the West Coast coal industry was the need to find a market for Blackball and Paparoa coals, representatives of the Composite Coal Committee told the Coast committee of Inquiry today. The committee was toi 4 the problem was more urgent because there were no other industries in the area to absorb the labour force if the mines closed

Witnesses said the opening of the Auckland harbour bridge had caused Blackballs output to drop 7000 tons a year—the quantity of coal the Devonport ferries used in a year. Blackball which produces a low swelling, bituminous coal with a high sulphur content was very suitable for industrial purposes. The mine employed 171 men for a yearly output of almost 60,000 tons. Its reserves of coal were 1958 went to gasworks. The composite committee said the Liverpool mine had a limited life of probably not more than three years. Liverpool coal was

the best gas coal available and it was essential that another mine was opened to take the place of Liverpool. Liverpool employed almost 350 men. Its output was around 85,000 tons a year and its reserves were 460,000 tons. About 95 per cent, of its production in 1958 went to gas works. Strongman employs about 360 men and produced about 130,000 tons of coal a year. Its reserves amounted to more than 111 million tons. It had ample pit room for the expansion of production. Its production was spread between railways, factories. gasworks and domestic consumers.

Dobson employed 149 men but more would be employed when Wallsend closed in 1960. Its output last year was 48,000 tons and its reserves were estimated at li million tons. Dobson coal was used by gasworks and the railways. Wallsend which was rapidly nearing the end of its working life, supplied coal to the railways and gasworks and employed 138 men.