ORDERS FOR COAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21129, 11 March 1932, Page 12

ORDERS FOR COAL.

POWER BOARD'S CONTRACT. CONCERN IN WAIKATO. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT."I ]IU XTIj V, Thursday. The information that the Auckland Power Board is making representation to the. Government with a view to its taking over the board's uncompleted contract for coal, as arranged with Glen Alton Collieries, Limited, 18 months ago, and give, the coal company concerned the whole of the Waikato order, is causing great dissatisfaction to the other four mines in the Waikato. At present there is only sutllcient work to keep them going on an average of one to two days a week, whereas the mine that has this contract is working almost full time. It is the. contention of the other mines that, tho contract should be divided between them, each to receive a share ot the, orders. It is understood that, the quantity of coal to be supplied under tho existing contract is 3000 tons weekly, at 15s 6d a ton, and as the contract term is for three years, there is a finther 18 months to run. Telegrams of protest have been forwarded from the Miners' District Council to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbos, the Rt. Hon. J. (1. Coafes, Messrs. 11. E. Holland, M.P., D. >S. Reid, M.P. for Raglan, and to the Mines Department, Wellington. The mines affected arc:—Renown, Rokrwaro, Pukcmiro and Wilton (Ngaruawahia).