Coal Shortage Closes Portland Cement Works

Northern Advocate, 18 March 1948, Page 4

Coal Shortage Closes Portland Cement Works

ALTHOUGH the production of cement at Portland _ will probably cease tonight, the 280 employees at the works will be temporarily kept on after the works close in order to ship out cement stocks, and carry out repair and maintenance work. The shutdown, necessitated by an acute shortage of coal, is expected to continue until after Easter, by which time it is hoped that sufficient coal will have been accumulated to resume manufacture.

Efforts have been made to obtain additional supplies of local coal, but although no official information was available today on the amount of Kamo coal forwarded to the works in recent weeks, it is believed that the weekly totals have diminished to some extent.

production has been limited to two of the four kilns.

In recent years production has been at the average output of two and a half kilns, and it is some time since the plant has run to capacity. The last coal boat completely discharged 1100 tons on March 3.

Although a shipment of South Island coal is expected at Portland during the next week, no official advice on this point has been received.

PRODUCTION LIMITED Coal supplies have been dwindling at the works, the sole source of cement supply in the North Island, during the past six months, when

The likelihood of a shutdown, owing to the coal shortage, was briefly mentioned at the Portland Cement Workers’ Union meeting on Tuesday night. There was no discussion on the subject which arose after mention had been made of certain repair work which the men considered should be undertaken. AFFECT ON INDUSTRY Commenting on the position as it affected building trades, the secretary of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association (Mr R. J. ’Don) said yesterday that cement users had been unable to build up supplies. The situation was serious and the stoppage in production would be felt throughout the province, r The output of concrete tiles, which were extensively used in the absence of roofing iron, would be seriously affected. Mr Don added that he had spoken on the telephone to the Minister of Works (Mr SempLfe) who had undertaken to bring the matter up at a meeting of the Cabinet yesterday afternoon. SECOND OCCURRENCE In July, 1946, a similar position arose at Portland when the works closed down for about a week, owing to the shortage of coal. Representations were made to the Mines Department, and eventually production was resumed at half capacity.