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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5946, 26 September 1890, Page 2

Two or three years ago thero was a immense export of coal from Newoastle to California, aud the trade was a profitable one in more ways than one. Goods were sent out to

those colonies from England at cheap freights because it was known that from Newcastle coal cargoes could bo seourod for 'Frisco, und from there grain loading to London could be obtained. Thun wo were able to secure cheaper outward freights thiui would otherwise have been possible at curtain wjanons of tho year, and tho Newcastle miners were able to earn high wages buuauso thero wua an export demand for tho black diamonds. In uu evil hour tho miners struck, when they had uo real grievance, and many voHHuln'htid to lio in Newcastle harbor for months waiting for cargo. The busy Now South Wales port never yet has recovered from that blow, for tho Californiuu trade was lost. Of course, it matters not to

ho Maritime Council that the present strike

may leave as disastrous effects whon a settlement has been affected, trade may bo diverted into other channels never again to bo recovered, but tho edicts are issued with a lighl-hearteduensasif all tho threads of trade could bo picked up as easily as they may bo lost. Tho other day we stated coal was to bo sent from India to Melbourne,

and it may not bo out of place now to say something as to the coal trade of India. At ono time coal was largely imported into Calcutta, but the importation has almost coiused, and the Calcutta. Gas Company now use native coal. The production is rapidly increasing. For the week ended 10th AutfUKt the receipts at Calcutta by tho East India Railway and Eastern Bengal Stuto Railw'iy fit ifowruh and Chitpore, were H.IU& tons coal and 1321 toiiH isoko. Indian 0.-mt is frequently need by

the Australian steamer* on the passage down, but is fouud to be rather inferior to Newcastle coal. Them are five Indian coal companies, whoso central oitieos- are at Calcutta possessing it paid-up cupitul of £376,C00. Tlirou of these companies pay well, tli» Bonyul Coal Company, tho largest, for tho l;u*t six yearn hue paid an average imim.il dividend or Vi per cent, while- the Alipora Coul Company, the smallest, has paid the following: diviuonds :—ln 11**>-4» •*•> potent.; ISSS, 188(5, and 1887, oaoh lo p ? r cent.; I*>BB, 18 per cent.; and 188 J, 10

per cent. In a short "time these coal mined will succeed in excluding Australian coal from India, and one more market will be lost, while in the meantime it is evident coal can be secured from there in quantity while the present strikes last at reasonable rates.