SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17112, 18 March 1919, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS.

EFFECT ON COAL SUPPLY.

CITY ELECTRICAL STATION.

RESERVE STOCK NOT LARGE.

Tho shortage of coal trucks and its effect on supplies to the city electrical power-station was touched upon by the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, yosterdav. The Mayor said the position was undoubtedly acute. All trading concerns, as a matter of ordinary business prudence, kept, emergency stocks of coal in case of contingencies. such as delay in railway traffi: and other unforeseen conditions which might arise. Tho city electrical station had not anything like the stocks of coal the City Council would liko to havo in reserve there. It was in tho interests of all branches of public and private activities that normal conditions of trade should be restored as quickly as possible, and nothing could contribute to their restoration to a greater degree than the rapid resumption of the maximum railway serview, both as to goods and passenger traffic. Tho city electrical powor-ftation was almost entirely dependent upon railwayborne coal, deliveries of which were, lie understood, considerably retarded owing to difficulties in connection with railage.

STORAGE BINS AT MINES. " PROPOSAL IMPRACTICABLE." The suggestion mado by a railway official, in regard to the shortage of trucks for the carriage of coal, that tie companies should provide storage bins into which the coal could bo dumped until there was a full supply of trucks, was referred yesterdav to a representative of one of the Waikato coal-mining companies. Tho proposal, he said, was not a new one, and had boon considered by his company 20 years ago. It was not feasible, because the coal would not stand the extra handling, and broke up too easily. Besides, even if tho suggestion were adopted, and "hoppers" filled with coal, there was no guarantee that the Department would not still keep the company waiting ftyr trucks. It was merely temporising, and could not bo regarded as a remedy.