HOLIDAY COAL SUPPLIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 December 1945, Page 2

HOLIDAY COAL SUPPLIES

AMPLE IN GREY DISTRICT

Work at all coal mines in the Grey district, State and co-operative, ceased this afternoon, but the coal position for the holidays is better than has been the case for a number of years, there being more than 10,000 tons available hr this district alone for distribution during the holidays, while heavy shipments overland during the past six weeks have put the railways and industries in the South Island in a good position. The attendance at all State mines to-day was small, and the men were mostly engaged in shiftwork, but production figures were fully maintained during the week, the extent of the output being indicated by the fact that Strongman coal had to be tipped on to the ground on one occasion as the binns were filled. One reason for the extensive coal supplies to hand, at present, despite the shipments to Canterbury, is the reduction in shipping trading to the port, this being due to hold-ups due to crew shortages and many other reasons, and it is stated that it is many years since the number of colliers loading at Greymouth was as ffew as during the past six weeks. Foui* vessels are expected to be loading coal during the Christmas period and there is almost 3,000 tons of coal in hoppers on the Grey wharf waiting to be loaded. When this* amount is taken, it 'is intended that supplies will be lifted from binns at the various mines, where there is about 7,500 tons, made up as follow: — Liverpool, 3,500 tons, Strongman 800, Dobson 1,500, Wallsend 1000, and Blackball 700.

.The shortage of coal at present is mostly confined to the North Island, particularly at gas works, the South Island having i-eceived sufficient supplies recently from the Coast, and shipments from Greymouth during the holidays will be for the North Island only. District miners received their ordinary and holiday pay last week, and will next be paid on their usual day, Friday, December 28. Runanga men may collect from the Dunollie office after mid-day, and Greymoulh men from the shipping office on the wharf from 4 p.m.