WESTPORT COAL FOR CHINA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11809, 11 August 1900, Page 4

WESTPORT COAL FOR CHINA.

THE FIRST CARGO,

Early next week the s.s. Penarth sails from Wellington to Hongkong, taking with her, to the order of the British Government, a cargo of 4000 tons of Westport coal for the use of the warships on the China station. -The matter is one of considerable importance, for, though Westport coal is regularly supplied to the Imperial warships on the New Zealand station, and from time to time shipments have been sent to Sydney for a like use, the present shipment by the Penarth is the first that __. has ever left New Zealand for China. Considerable- despatch has been observed with the loading of the Penarth. Arriving at Westport on the morning of the 3rd, she drew alongside the wharf at 3 o'clock the same afternoon, and on the &th, having taken in 3469 tons, she left Westport for Wellington, where she will bring her cargo up to 4000 tons, arid will also take in about 800 tons to fill up her ..bunkers. Ths Penarth was drawing 17ft 4-in when she crossed'the bar outward bound, but there was not the slightest hitch. Local boats.: drawing 18ft have crossed the bar, and the Penarth might have completed her full cargo ■- of 4000 tons; but obviously it was wise not to take any risks. . It might be seated, that Admiral Pearson was at Westport during the loading of the Penartli, and stated that he was well pleased at the arrangements made by the Westport Coal Company for her loading. The present shipment is only a- trial one, but it is not at all unlikely that this order will be followed by others at an early date. The coal famine seems to be prevalent all the world over. A San Francisco brokers circular, dated July 11, 'says that the market there is entirely bare of st-eam grades, ana that it is difficult to say where the combined navies of the world shortly centring in China, waters will draw their fuel from. A good deal may be drawn from Japanese collieries, but the residuum must come from Australia, as British Columbia cannot furnish any at the pre- $ . sent time. A cable message published yesterday morning announced. that 100 deep-sea ships are at Newcastle waiting for coal .cargoes. It is therefore extremely likely, that the West Coast collieries may,. within the next few months, be drawn on for supplies. If this happens the coal industry on the West Coast will receive a big impetus.For steaming purposes Westport coal'is superior to Newcastle, and it bears favourable comparison in this respect with even the best Welsh coal. „, ■ „ i ,-, At the present time the Westport Coal Com- ■ pony's output .is about 8500 tons per week, but they are endeavouring to increase the output The slowness, however, with which ■• the additional machinery and plant required for this is coming to hand is a, considerable hindrance to the company in this direction.