COAL PRODUCTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1944, Page 2

COAL PRODUCTION

DOMINION RECORD.

The output of 2,787,868 tons of coal during the last year constituted a record for the Dominion, and was an increase of 107,827, or 4.023 per cent, over the 1942 production. Compared with 1939, when war broke out, the production for 1943 showed"an increase of 445,299 tons. During 194 u the quantity of coal imported . was 37,454 tons, or 53,411 tons less than m the previous year, while exports (42,522 tons) were 12,178 tons less than in 1942. . , The output for each miner employed underground last year was 697 tons, a reduction of 35 tons as compared with 1942. The production for each man on the pay roll (both underground and surface workers) was 519, a decrease of 17 tons on the previous year. An increase in the consumption oi coal during the war period was inevitable, says the Minister oi Mmes (Mr. Webb), in his annual report to Parliament, and the Government s plans to meet the growing demand were successful until last year. Whereas most parts of the Empire had been unable to maintain coal output during the war, New Zealand s production had actually increased by 19 per cent, since 1939. To increase coal production as quickly as possible, the Dominion, along with other countries, had devoted attention to mining by stripping such portions ol the seams as were covered by shallow over-burden. Such open cast methods depended upon the use of mechanical strippers and excavators, and their adoption in New Zealand had to be postponed until such time as that equipment could either be released from construction of defence works or obtained from abroad. . . Geological survey, accompanied in some cases by shallow mining, had been necessary to locate and define possible stripping areas. But real progress was now being made, said the Minister, in the winning ol coal by such methods. It was expected that before the end of this year about 2000 tons ot coal a day would be obtained from that system ot mining from areas in both islands. LIGNITE SUPPLIES. WELLINGTON, September 25. Retail coal dealers in Wellington have been advised that until further notice there will be no bituminous coal from the West Coast for private consumption in Wellington, as it is the intention of the Government to reserve all bituminous supplies for highly essential purposes such as railways, gas company retorts, and steamers that must necessarily depend on this class of coal. It is gathered that there will be shipments of coal for private purposes from the West Coast as opportunity serves, but this will be lignite coal from Charleston, an open mine some 17 miles from Westport.