SUPPLIES OF COAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17274, 25 September 1919, Page 6

SUPPLIES OF COAL.

POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH. GOOD STOCKS AVAILABLE. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. Although there ha 8 not been any increase in the supplies of coal received by merchants in Christchurch, the position is a little easier, owing to the demand from householders having decreased slightly. An increase in the amount of coal brought to Lyttelton has actually taken place, but the whole of this increase has gone to the Railway Department, which has been building up supplies during the curtailed services. The position in Christchurch at the present time, as far as the householders are concerned, is that it is easier for them to get supplies because, owing to the warmer weather, less coal is required for heating purposes, and, in consequence, more is available for ordinary domestic purposes. The "go-slow" policy adopted by the miners has not materially reduced the amount of coal available in the city, but it has had the effect of increasing the price charged. "Many of the wholesalers have already increased their prices, and a general rise of from 3d to 6d a bag will be made on practically all classes of coal. POSITION IN AUCKLAND MINES. "GO-SLOW" POLICY CONTINUES. The miners at Huntly, Pukemiro, and Hikurangi are still maintaining the " goslow" policy, and the output is daily, therefore, below normal. At the Northern Coal Co.'s Kiripaka mine where the men have resumed work on the lines in operation before the present trouble originated, everything is reported to be proceeding satisfactorily.