LESS COAL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32346, 13 October 1943, Page 5

LESS COAL

NOTICE FROM MINES RESERVES FOR RAILWAY Advice that as from last Friday the production of household and kitchen grades of coal would be discontinued was contained in a letter from the Waikato Collieries Association to Tuesday’s meeting of the Thames Hospital Board.

The Waikato Collieries Association wrote under date October 7 as follows:—

“As from to-day the production of house and kitchen grades of coal has been discontinued at all Waikato mines and domestic coal only will be screened and supplied until further notice at the price stated in the price list dated December 12, 1938.

“This step has' been rendered imperative by the necessity of supplying the Railway Department with sufficient coal to enable stocks to be built up to ensure the operation of train services during the Christmas and New Year period.

"The requirements of the railways, essential industries and the Armed Forces will absorb the greater proportion of the output from the Waikato, resulting in a much reduced tonnage being available for domestic use.

“With the approach of summer the diminution in the supply to householders will not have such a serious effect as a reduction in the winter months.

“ The circumstances which have brought about the present position are quite beyond the control of the Waikato Collieries. The position must be faced and your co-operation requested in the attempt to overcome a difficult situation in the same manner as the

Waikato Collieries are obeying Government instructions received through the' Mining Controller.

The secretary, Mr A. L. Neighbour reported that the hospital supplies, would not 'be affected.