INFERIOR COAL: PRODUCTION IS HAMPERED

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 October 1948, Page 2

INFERIOR COAL: PRODUCTION IS HAMPERED

[SPECIAL TO STAR] . DUNEDIN, This Day.

Disturbed by the deterioration in the quality of the coal received by them, manufacturers in Dunedin made representations to the Mining Controller, Mr C. H. Benney, pointing out t that recently they have had to use' considerably more coal than in the past to maintain a good head of steam in the machinery in use in their factories. Their principal objection was not to the quantity of coal they •were receiving, but to the poor qualIn some cases, they said, whole truckloads of coal had to be dumped because they contained lumps of clay. It was difficult for them to maintain production, and now that their businesses were running in keener competition for markets, it was necessary that the quality of the coal supplied to them should be maintained at its former standard. A reply to the complaint by the Otago-Southland Manufacturers’ Association was received from the Mining Controller. Mr Benney said that in present circumstances the wholesalers were doing their best to share out the better class coal available to them, but production at the Kaitangata mine had fallen, and difficulties were also being experienced at the Ohai mine. The supply position was expected to improve this month, and it was likely that a new area would be opened up at the Ohai mine in December. This should have the result of increasing production. The Otago-Southland Manufacturers’ Association has decided to send a reply to the Mining Controller expressing disappointment that nothing has been done to give immediate relief from the difficulties arising from the deterioration in the quality of the coal available to industry.