COAL STOCKS SHORT

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 50, 28 February 1921, Page 8

COAL STOCKS SHORT

MANUFACTURING CONCERNS

CLOSING DOWN

OITY COUOIL'S FORTUNATE

POSITION.

Although there are 15,000 tons of coal hi ships floating in the harbour, industries are threatened with a complete, stoppage owing to the shortage in the city ol this essential fuel. There were few .concerns which showed such foresight and enterprise as the City Council, which, during the past few months, has adopted the policy, of buying whatever coal offered, even though the price asked was considerably above normal; Firms \yhich .discriminated between highpriced and low-priced coal are tiow feeling the pinch. Those in authority are ready to congratulate the-City Council's officers on their success in securing a reserve which would carry them-over five weeks. It was because of this foresight that the general public is not suffering to til© same extent as it did at the: time of the Calm hold-lip. On that occasion, the City Council was caught without any surplus coal whatever, and the trams stopped almost immediately.

The position in which the Wellington Gas Company finds itself is much more serious. If the stoppage continues to the end of the week the gas supply will give out altogether. The company has decided to reduce the pressure, the object being to maintain the supply as long as possible. The Coal Trade Committee has had several "5.0.5." calls for coal, but is quite unable to satisfy the demands. It has absolutely no reserve upon which to draw, and as each industry runs out of its present stock of coal it must dose down.

Further inquiries showed that several manufacturing firms will find it necessary to close downi before the end of this week unless the coal is made available. Kew firms have more than four days' supply of coal.

Blacksmiths are experiencing great difficulty in securing "smithy" coal, and their work is being handicapped accoi'dr ingly-

At noon to-day Messrs. P. Hudson and Co., brickmakeip, had on hand onlytwelve hours' supply of coal, and all attempts to augment this had failed. If no coal can be secured before to-morrow the works will be glased down, thus throwing between 20 and 30 men out of employment. The kiln now has in it 180,000 bricks, and was lighted three months ago at a cost of £170. It is a patent kUn, and the fires are kept bunir ing continuously. If the fires are allowed to go out, it will be sti extensive matter, as the kiln will have to be thoroughly heated again before it is put back into commission.