DOMESTIC COAL

Grey River Argus, 27 September 1944, Page 5

DOMESTIC COAL

GREYMOUTH'S POSITION , The shortage of coal for' use in household ranges in the town, despite its* position close to the mines, was the subject of a report of a comnnttee to the Council of the Westland District Progress League last evening. The report; the contents ot which are to be referred to tire Una-er-Secretary of Mines, Mr. C. H. Benney, stated: —The League has been approached with regard to the present difficulties experienced byhouseholders in obtaining coal sup? plies. It is said that there is a greater number of range users • in Greymouth pro rata than in the centres. A local coal merchant is getting two trucks of coal a week to supply 60U customers, and other merchants are in a similar position. One of the trucks is Blackball which is'said to be very dirty for ranges. Coal cannot be purchased by merchants from Co-op mines as these mines are disposing of their full output to merchant in Christchurch or elsewhere. It seems strange; the report continued, that coal cannot be made available in reasonable quantities .in the town which is so near the source of supply. One would think that with shipping delays, ample coal would be available locally. Now 'that Strongman coal is off the local-market fob at least two weeks, a difficult situation arises for housewives. It is suggested that the local manger Of State mines, or the Minister of Mines be urged to make Strongman coal available again as early as possibly, and that in the meantime, other coal be provided for household use in the event of any further shiping delays.