ORDERS AND DELIVERIES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17487, 6 June 1931, Page 5

ORDERS AND DELIVERIES

"The Dobson mine order now stands at 1000 tons per week, having been temporarily increased to this quantity in April, but so far the supply per week has averaged only 77") tons. I haye been since advised that this mine ■will shortly be in a position lo meet our order. "Brunner mine: This mine lias a temporary order for 131 M tons per week, but its average supply since April 13 has been 720 tons a, week, and the secretary advises that not more than 850 tons a week can be guaranteed. "Liverpool State mine: This mine has an order for 500 tons a week, but its average supply under this order has been 400 tons. This mine was closed for two weeks on account of a dispute between the miners and a mine engine driver. - "Grey Point and Elizabeth Co-op. coal mines: These mines have had orders totalling 1020 tons a week, but they have fallen short in deliveries, the average weekly supply being 0~0 tons.

"Briandale mine: This mine has on order for 820 tons a week, and is unablo to guarantee more than 350 tons a week at the present time, but may be in a position to increase this to 500 tons a week in about six weeks time.

"Westport Stockton mine: This mine has an order temporarily increased from 800 to 1200 tons of screened coal a week, and up to May 23 had delivered this quantity. However, owing to loss of certain orders for slack and screen coal, including that from the 'Golden Bay Cement Co., which has temporarily suspended operations, and a dearth of ships' bunkering orders, the mine will have difficulty in providing screened coal to meet the department's orders. As a matter of fact, much against the department's wish, Wo took a quantity of unscreened coal from (his company in an endeavor to assist it in its difficulty. NO CHANGE IN POLICY "Cascade mine: This mine is still out of action and it will be some time yet before the order for 1000 tons can be supplied. It is proposed to let the order remain, as when the mine reopens it is not likely to be delivered at a greater rate than 100 tons petweek." Mr. Veitch added: "With a view to building up our stocks of coal we substantially increased our orders on New Zealand mines on March IS, and again on March .".0. Nevertheless, by the end of April, there was no increase iii our stocks. It is or interest in this connection to note that even up to May 23 the increase in stocks amounted to only -100(1 tons, which is little more than half a week's consumption. It was, therefore, apparent to me that some prompt action was necessary in order that the department's reserve stock of coal for storage purposes should be built up, and as the prospect of obtaining sufficient coal from New Zealand mines was not satisfactory I

was rcihictantly ebittpclled to plaeo an '4 order for 40,000 tons of coal from Aus>tralia. "I wish to repent that tho department will continue to take New Zed; land coal, and so long as tho mines are able to fully meet our requirements from time to time there will bo no necessity to resort to importations in the future."