EFFECT ON COAL AND TIMBER SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 97, 20 January 1944, Page 4

EFFECT ON COAL AND TIMBER SUPPLIES

West Coast Rail Blockage

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 19. The breakdown in rail communication between the,West Coast and Canterbury through big slips in the vicinity of Aickeng will cause a critical position in the coal supplies for Christchurch. The stocks of coal, particularly for the railways, were seriously depleted by labour troubles on the West Coast ; and this has already led to travel restrictions in the South Island. The Midland line was being relied on almost exclusively for the transport of coal, as shipping, both at Greymouth and Westport during the past few weeks hag been badly affected by the .state of the bars. Ships have had to leave without full cargoes. The Christchurch coal merchants are low in stocks, a conservative estimate being, that sufficient for a fortnight’s supply remains. The position has been accentuated by the fact that numbers of people have been ordering above their normal requirements. The timber trade is in an equally serious position. The stocks in hand are not sufficient to. meet defence requirements and essential undertakings. Dunedin merchants have been relying to an increasing extent on West Coast timber because the Southland mills have not been able to cope with orders. Travel Arrangements.

Railway road buses are being run by way of the Lewis Pass Road and Culverden to accommodate people who hold permits to travel. Seven buses, accommodating 148 passengers, left Greymouth for Christchurch this afternoon, and will return tomorrow with a similar load. Two buses came to the West Coast from Christchurch today, these being the only vehicles available.

The mails are being conveyed by road. Goods traffic is delayed, and there is expected to be an accumulation of 2000 tons of coal for the East Coast at Greymouth by the weekend. It will be hauled by special'trains. The slips on the Midland line are being tackled both at the Canterbury and West Coast ends with the aid of machinery, but it is not expected that the track will be cleared till Friday night at the earliest, Efforts are being concentrated to free the railway before the road, but they are hampered by vast quantities of trees and. stumps brought down from the bush.

The Greymouth taxi control committee has authorized seven taxis to convey passengers urgently required to reach Christchurch. No extra petrol is being granted for these journeys.