COALING THE NAVY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13725, 15 April 1908, Page 7

COALING THE NAVY.

SUGGESTED AUCKLAND DEPOT. REPORT FROM' ADMIRAL FAWKES. At yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board a communication was received from the Minister for Marine covering a copy of a communication received by the Governor from Vice-Admiral Fawkes, in regard to the question of establishing a depot at Auckland .the storage of coal for the use of the navy. Admiral Fawkes stated that he considers it to be certainly desirable that a depot, with modern appliances for rapid coaling, should be established at Auckland. '* In peace time," the letter continues, " the needs of the navy at Auckland are not large, and the reserve of 500 tons, now kept by the Westport Coal Company, is sufficient to meet the current demands of single ships, while a collier can always be ordered to meet the squadron in its visits to New Zealand. The danger is that if any large quantity of Westport coal were always kept in stock, there would not be a sufficient turnover (unless there is a considerable demand for this coal by the mercantile marine) to ensure it being as good as under the present conditions. At present the price of coal delivered to His Majesty's "ships at Auckland is higher than at either Wellington or Lyltelton, and therefore ships coal there only when necessary. The prices paid by the- naval authorities are as follows: Auckland, ex steamer 22s 6d per ton, ex hulk 24e 6d per ton : Wellington, 19s and 21s; Lyttelton, 20s and 225. The coaling appliances generally in Australasia are much behind the times, and I am of the opinion that modern appliances would be of great assistance to the rapid coaling of mercantile steamers, and so make for economy Mn their working." Mr. W. J. Napier said that coal in Auckland for shipping could be reduced 5s per ton if modern appliances were used for handling it. Considering that labour cost more in Wellington, it was certainly not to Auckland's credit that the price here wa3 higher. Mr. J. B. Maefarlane: There is less freight to pay to Wellington. The matter was referred to the Board in committee.