THE CEMENT SHORTAGE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 71, 17 December 1919, Page 5

THE CEMENT SHORTAGE

DEPUTATION TO THH MAYOR. As reported Inst week tlio shbrtago of cfihcnt in Weflitigton is acute, so much so, that Uio work entailed in relaying tlio tramway tri.ck alonpr a portion of Lambton Quay has been suspended ami men have been ihrowij out of work, not only there, but on other works dej'endenton cement. On ll >uhv morning tlio Jlayor CMr. J. I'. Luke) received n deputation of business people from Lninbton Quay, who protested' that the delay in the completion o£ the track was seriously disorganising their business at a time of the year when they would feel it most. M\*. T.ulce assured the deputation that if i>?ment supplies failed lo arrive in order lo finish the job, ether itieans would he taken to clear up the thoroughfare liefnrn Christmas. The unfortunate delay had been caused by circumstances- over which the City Council luut no control. }fr. Luke slated that tlio following telegram had been dispatched lo the PrimeJtfiiiistei' (Hon. W. P. Jlassev) on the question:— "City Council's tramways' nrgent lino repairs, with other of the councils important works, ab.-iilntt'ly at n standstill pending supplies of cement. .Private firms likewise slapped altogether, .Scores of men discharged. v T am informed that beats (railing from Auckland to cement works are employed lor other purposes. Ikspeel fully urge you to for boatsMo carry cement raiuiremcnts."

SMALL SHIPMENT TO HAND. A small shipment of cement from tlio Golden .Bay Cement Company's works across Cook Strait was 1 made available yesterday morning. The greater portion of the lino was secured by the City Corporation for essential works, and, as the result, work was resumed on the Lambton Quay tramway track yesterday morning, and good work (at concrete ballasting) was done during the da,y. Given tire weather iho. whole of the 'tween track cone.reto work should be completed by this evening, and ill a few days ordinary traffic will he resumed along tlio western track. The balance of the cement recured by the Corporation was "rationed" out among iho various works in hand.