COAL OUTPUT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24748, 23 November 1943, Page 4

COAL OUTPUT

WATKATO SUPPLIES TAPPING NEW SOURCES A start had been made to uncover deposits of coal in the Waikato which could be dug by the opencut quarrying methods, said the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, yesterday, when discussing the steps being taken by the Government to augment supplies for industrial and domestic use. Geological groups had been working under Government direction for about five years collecting data on bituminous coal-bear-ing areas and as a result of their reports a drilling programme was now being carried out and a machine capable of drilling to a depth of 3000 ft. was expected to arrive from overseas soon.

A grant of approximately £60.000 had neon authorised for exploiting the block of land in the Waikato and mechanical plant was being used to remove the overlay of soil estimated to be 10ft. deep. A temporary railway line would be laid and trucks would be loaded by mechanical shovels shifting the coal. In the past New Zealand had relied upon Australia to supply at least 100.000 tons of coal a year for gas production. This supply had been cut down recently and the prospects for a resumption of shipments were not bright. Locations of bituminous coal had been mapped out on the West Coast of the South Island and drilling was proceeding at Blackball and Rewanui. More men were required in the Dominion's mines and at least 250 could be employed now. The Minister said he realised that the quantity of coal for domestic use was inadequate, but it was hoped that additional supplies would be made available in the near future.

X-RAY FACILITIES DIFFICULTIES AT HOSPITAL Factors interfering with the efficient working of the X-ray Department at the Auckland Hospital were discussed by Dr. Bruce Mackenzie, a part-time member of the medical staff, in a report before the Hospital Hoard at its meeting last night. Dr. Mackenzie said that if these factors were not rectified an already difficult position would become progressively worse. The difficulties were connected with the sorting, filing and indexing of films and the reporting and clerical work, Dr. Mackenzie said. The causes were partly inadequacy of working space and the scattered locations in which films were filed. The rectification of the difficulties required a long-term view in which the increasing work of the department was to he considered. The acting-medical superintendent, Dr. C. B. Gil'herd. said he agreed wtih Dr. Mackenzie's views and recommended that the department he again brought under review. It was agreed that the Buildings Committee should visit the hospital to consider the report. MAORIS SENTENCED The theft of n handbag and contents of a total value of £5 lis 9d and of 15s was admitted by two Maoris, Hiki Mnnukau, labourer, aged 19, and Jack Pia liana, labourer, aged 24, before Mr. F. 14. Levien, S.M., yesterday. They pleaded guilty to both charges. Piahana was sentenced to six months' reformative detention, and Manukau was 'admitted to probation for 18 months.