THE COAL SHORTAGE

Otago Witness, Issue 3400, 14 May 1919, Page 41

THE COAL SHORTAGE

GASWORKS POSITION NOW EASY. NEW SEAM TO BE WORKED. EXTENSION AT SHAG POINT. The position with regard to the supply of coal for the gasworks is now easy, and it was stated to a reporter on Saturday that, provided the requirements of the works are properly handled by the Government, thore should'be no repetition of the recent crisis.. Those interested in the ofjtl industry are fully aware of the necessities of the general position, and are taking what steps they can with a view to increasing output and developing potential sources of supply. Tho Kmi arrived on Saturday morning with about 900 tons of coal for Dunedin, and the Kakapo arrived in the afternoon with 1503 tons for Dunedin It is understood that steps are being taken to work the seam on the Summcrhill estate at Kaitangata. This is a continuation of the big seam of tho Kaitangata stratum. One of the promoters informed a reporter on Saturday that a syndicate was being formed, but in the meantime this was more for development work than otherwise. Certain prospecting work has been done, with the idea of locating the big seam. It is understood that this has been found, and steps are now being taken to prove it further. This seam is believed to be some 18ft in thickness, and the coal is claimed to be quite as good a 3 that in the other local mine, if not better. Tho Shag Point Company has all arrangements completed for putting in an extension of the railway siding, involving the construction of about a mile and a-half of new line. The object 13 to solve the transport problem from the mine mouth to the railway, the present means of transport being by carts. It is anticipated that on the completion of this work the output of the mine will be almost doubled. The manager contemplates no difficulty at all in securing whatever additional labour may be neces sary to handle this increased output.