COAL COMMISSION

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 30, 5 February 1925, Page 4

COAL COMMISSION

WESTPORT EVIDENCE

USE OF LOCAL PRODUCT URGED

(BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) I ' _ WESTPORT, 4th February. ] Uie Coal Commission heard evidence in the courthouse this morning. The Hon. \V. H. M'lntyre stated that lie had had 32 years in . mines. The miners,here, he said, owned their own houses, and thereby had a large financial interest -in the coal industry. If the present depression continued the miners would lose all as the property would be unsaleable. The miners had only four days of seven hours' pay the last fortnight. The coal industry was passing through a period of depression, and unless thu Stato was prepared to lostei; it lnoio than at present the depression would become permanent The industry was being effected by the hydroelectric schemes through the Joss of consumption of slack coal. The Otira, tunnel reduced the Buller coal trade and the Newcastle imports knocked the local coal trade into a cocked hat. If the iNew Zealand coal was harder for railway firemen, they should apply for more pay. It was ridiculous sending a large sum of money away. He advocated a trial of powdered coal, and believed it Avould be a success. There was no difficulty in the disposal of screened coal, he added, but lie did not wish the commission to recommend the purchase of screened coal only. The new explosives had caused more slack coal, and with care a 50 per cent, increase of screened coal could be produced. James Curtis, manager of the Harbour Board, said the population of Westport had decreased by 1000 in ten years, due to a 50,000 tons reduction in the coal output. With the Government's interest liv West-port, it would be T>rosperous. William Flavell, manager of* the Westport Coal Company, gave a written statement reviewing the whole position and I strongly advocated the use of New' Zealand coal on the railways. His company could supply 20,000 tons of screened and 150,000 tons of unscreened coal annually. If the railway would only take screened coal, he said, it would not help the position. The company was prepared to assist the production of more screened or suitable coal. RAILWAYiMEN'S TESTIMONY TO . LOCAL COAL.

James Ahem, depot chargeman, with over 30 years' experience as enginedriver and fireman; said that special unscreened Coalbrookdale coal was used on the Westport section of the railways, and gave excellent results. They had no trouble with firebars and tubes on the smoke boxes. Newcastle was good steaming coal, but in his experience left more cleanin<r up to do at the end of tho day than Westport coal. He "had not seen AliUerton coal.and Coalbrookdale mixed, but it might be worth a trial. On a long run he thought that Coalbrookdale gave better results than Newcastle. In his opinion railwaymen could do as well elsewhere as was done at Westport if Westport coal were used. Frederick Jl'Donald, euginedriver on the Westport section of the railways, with 20 years' experience all over New Zealand, said that there was no difficulty with Westport coal. Since he had been on the Westport line lie had never: stopped for want of steam. He thought that once a fireman got used to AVestport coal he would back it every time. J. H. Enright produced a statement as to tho Buller output at Westport as follows:—1921, 145 tons ; 1922, 175 tons : 1525, 168 tons; 1924, 186 tons; with an expected increase to 200 tons before the season closes..

WESTPORT'S DEPENDENCE ON INDUSTRY. G. H. Gqthard^ ironmonger, said that the whole life-blood of the town depended on the coal industry. There was a big difference hi the population when the trade was decent, and to-day. Idle days at the mines had a depressing effect on all businesses in the district as the Joss of wages was far-reaching'' He estimated that close on 99| per. cent of the money in "Westport came from coal It was not inconsistent for the . Westport Borough to use hydro-electric lighting, and power, becauso the water scheme here was so cheap. Newcastle, financial interests in gasworks in New Zealand probably accounted for so much imported coal being used by gas companies in New Zealand. Russell Weeks, an experienced enginedriver, fireman, and crane driver in New Zealand and South Africa, thought that if some special inducement were offered to firemen to make a- success of New Zealand coals they would do so. He lully endorsed Mr. M'Donald's evidence regarding Westport coal. eluded inqUh7 3t West P°rt has c°ti-