COAL FROM WESTPORT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20288, 22 June 1929, Page 14

COAL FROM WESTPORT.

SUPPLIES DELAYED,

SHORTAGE NOT SERIOUS.

DRAWING ON RESERVE STOCKS.

The earthquake has caused a shortage of Westport coal, but latest advices from the devastated area are reassuring, and ifc appears that supplies will come forward before the position becomes serious in any industry. The largest consumers in Auckland are the gas companies, the ferries, the freezing works and brick kilns. The trawling fleet and the railways also use coal from this course.' The Auckland Gas Company and the Dovonport Steam Ferry Company carry large reserves of coal, and advice yesterday that one of the Westport mines would commence production next week has removed most of the anxiety. Tho coal strike in Newcastle has created a general shortage of replacement coals in New Zealand and the interruption of output at Westport came at a time when stocks were not abundant.

The Auckland office of the Westport Coal Company, Limited, yesterday issued a statement to tho effect that the suspension of operations had been duo mainly to damage to the railway. Repair work was well advanced, and it was expected to commence working the Granity mine next Monday. The Denniston mine would probably resume at the end of next week, but there would necessarily be reduced output for a time.

The Auckland manager of the company states that if production commences next week supplies should be available in Auckland eight to ten days later. Under ordinary conditions supplies of Westport coal arrive in Auckland at intervals of 10 to 14 days. The collier Canopus discharged a cargo at Auckland on Monday and Tuesday, and after sheltering at *Kawau Island left for the South on Thursday. Vessels have had to make other bunkering arrangements since the eaii;hquake. The Flowergate, which discharged phosphates at Auckland, left for Westport on Tuesday to replenish her bunkers for the trip to Nauru Island. On. account of the earthquake the captain was advised by wireless to await orders at Golden Bay. The Katoa, which was to have left Auckland for Westport on Thursday, was instead despatched to Portland to load cement for Wellington.