COAL SUPPLIES TO DREDGES

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 26

COAL SUPPLIES TO DREDGES

Sib, — In connection with veur report oi the Manual meeting of sharcl'o'dcrs in the Meg and Annie Gold Dredging C'crna'"-. the remarks of the chairman upon thr> co^t of coal used upon the dredge aie worth a'tention .from shareholder in other companies. Mr Jackson pointed out that by drawing supplies from the Gibb3ton pit n. veiy considerable saving is effected, for though (iibbston coal cost the company about 3s per ton more than Bannockburn, but litt'.e more tbaj. one-half the quantity was requncd for slecnui-s purposes. Theae are proved facts ; yet it is cur■■rentiy rumoured that dredges l:\e the Grand .Junction and Upper Magnetic intend to use the Bannockburu coal ia preference to tb" Gibbston article, in spite of the fact that both these claims are nearer Gibbston, and consequently further distant fiom Bannockburn than the Me gar.d Anrie pioperlv. In tho interests of shareholders, tl-o directois of both companies should be asked for an explanation. Taking Mr Jackson' <s figures ns r basis, there will be a saving to each dredge f^f from £7 to per week by using the Gibbslon ecal. Your columns offer the only satisfactory means of bringing such matters before shareholders, and for that reason I ask you to publish this. Jlay I ask the directors of the dredging companies mentioned if they are shareholders in the Banaockburn pit ; "and, if so, has that fact something to do with their decision? — I am, etc.. Interested Shareholder.

TO THE EDITOR.