SHORTAGE OF COAL AT AUCKLAND.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 81, 7 April 1913, Page 6

SHORTAGE OF COAL AT AUCKLAND.

According to reports from Auckland there has been a shortage of coal for shipping purposes lit that portduring the past week. The Union Company have experienced some difficulty in providing for both its own vessels and those under contract. "It -is further stated that the shortage is attributed to the fact that one or two of the company's colliers have been detained at Westport, and also to the fact that the company supplies the Sbaw, Savill, and Albion steamers with coul when any of the vessels visit Auokland. Over 1000 tons of coal has been disposed of in the latter manner to three steamers, during the past few days. So short was the supply in hand last Wednesday that the company decided to send the Talune to Wellington in order to coal, but the timely arrival of the Koromiko from Newcastle on Wednesday morning with over 3000 tons rendered that course unnecessary. The mail steamers Zealandia and Makura will require about 1500 tons between them thi3 week, and the company is reserving what stockß it has in hand for that purpose. The Kurow should arrive from Weatport about the middle of this week, and as tho vessel will bring about 3000 tons, the supply then in hand will be ample to carry on with until the Katoa lands a shipment from Newcastle in about a week's time. The Kittawa will also discharge a full cargo at Onehunga from Greymouth and Westport, but as the greater part of the coal is for the Railway Department, there will be little available lor the use of shipping.