CHEAP COAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 272, 11 August 1920, Page 8

CHEAP COAL

Tho promoters of the Weslport-Charles-toii Coal Quarries and Timber, Limited, confidently anticipate being ablo to supply householders with coal at less than half tho price they have at present to pa}', and when tho unique position of the coal-bed and the natural advantages it possesses are considered, there is 110 reason why their anticipations should not Ijo more than realised. The coal lying upon the surface will bo quarried, and not mined as in the case cf ordinary underground eoal-mining,| and all tho expensive methods applicable to tho latter, such as haulage; driving, pumping, etc., will bo entirely eliminated in tho working of Charleston coal.-. This is the reason why Mr. Bisliop, the best known ooal mining engineer in New Zealand, states in his report, with reference to the cost of winning tho coal: "Tho cost will be but a fraction of that ruling in the coal mines throughout the Dominion." In fact, it is 6aid that Charleston coal will be quarried SO per cent, cheaper than any other coal. To illustrate the actual, position, picture one side of Lambton Quay, Wellington, and the total length of the quay if necessary, nnd imagine tho buildings to have an average height of 25 feet. Tlion substitute a solid face of coal for tho buildings, and a railway in place of tho (ram line,.and you havo a very fair idea of tho ease and cheapness by which the coal will be shot down and-placed into tlie railway trucks by means of mechanical shovels.

Out of a population of under 5000 persons, 82 residents of Westport havo so far applied for shares in.the company. A more eloquent appreciation of the merits of the undertaking upon the part of those who know tho coal nnd tho coal-field could hardly be imagined. Westport is a comparatively poor town. It, has little or no back country, and mainly depends for its existence upon the operations of tho Westport and WestjiortStockton coal mines. The support given to the company by Westport poople is thorefcro all the more significant. Investors can confidently follow tho lead of tho Westport residents, and, in fact, of almost every person who has visited the coalfield. Write or call for a copy of tho prospectus to Messrs. Irwin and George, 37, Panama Street, the Wellington brokers for tho company, or to any of tho inembers»of the Associated Stock Exchanges. —(Published by Arrangement).