DOMESTIC COAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 87, 13 April 1944, Page 4

DOMESTIC COAL

INCREASED DELIVERIES

A more hopeful view of the coal supply prospects for the winter is taken by the Mining Controller, Mr. C. H. ( Benney. He said yesterday that the outlook generally throughout New Zealand, with the open-cast mines in full production by the winter, would be much better than was the case last winter. "We have a lot of leeway to make up with industrial and other coal, but these open-cast mines will go a ilong way towards improving the domestic supply," he said. Mr. Benney said that if any Newcastle coal could be obtained there would be a rapid improvement all round. The authorities were in touch with Australia at present on this matter. Normal importations of Newcastle coal, some 7000 tons monthly, had ceased last June, throwing an additional burden on the New Zealand mining industry. The principal coal dealers in Wellington were at present about two months in arrears with the fulfilment of orders. However, a large number of orders had been placed by householders well in advance of requirements, in anticipation of delayed deliveries. For the past six weeks or more the amount of West Coast coal coming to Wellington had had to be severely curtailed, being reserved almost entirely for gasworks, and leaving little available for domestic use, particularly in Wellington and Christchurch.

"A certain amount of Charleston coal, suitable only for household purposes, has been received' in Wellington," added Mr. Benney. "Other areas at Buller and Reef ton are being developed by open-cast methods, and, providing shipping and bar conditions are suitable, it should be possible to make a substantial increase in deliveries in. three weeks' time.