Coal Windfall

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31224, 23 November 1966, Page 3

Coal Windfall

CA’eiP Zealand Press Association!

AUCKLAND, Nov. 22. Auckland University has received an unexpected windfall of £2lO by going into the coal business without even knowing about it The University Council has received a letter from the Under-Secretary of Mines (Mr P. M. Outhwaite) in which he said the Mines Department had removed 3370 tons of coal from an old underground waste area which presented a dangerous threat of underground fire from spontaneous combustion. But the waste area, linked by underground roadways to an open-cast mine, was under endow-

ment land of the university.

"The department regrets that it did not inform you of the position earlier and seek your approval to win the coal," wrote Mr Outhwaite.

Appearances indicated that the area had been abandoned.

In the circumstances, however, there were royalty payments to be considered, and the department considered that in view of the circumstances and cost of winning the coal—£4ooo—a fair payment would be Is 3d a ton.

The council has accepted the payment with gratitude.