SLACK COAL ESSENTIAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1023, 14 July 1930, Page 9

SLACK COAL ESSENTIAL

RUNNING KING’S WHARF STEAM PLANT NEW ZEALAND SHORTAGE Slack coal from the Waikato is essential if the steam plant at ICing’s Wharf is to be operated correctly, the chairman of the Auckland Electric-Power Board, Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, explained today, when questioned regarding offers of other classes of coal for use at the power station. The chairman of Waikato Coal Carbonisation, Limited, Mr. W. D. Holgate, has stated that the companies are prepared to. supply the board with ample quantities of "run of the mine” coal. Such coal was 50 per cent, slack and 50 per cent, ordinary steam coal.

Supplies of slack are somewhat below requirements, but the Waikato companies are able to make up the balance with other classes of coal. To this. Mr. Holdsworth pointed out that the board was being required to pay 40 per cent- more for slack coal than at the time King's Wharf was closed down and Arapuni power was taken over. The boaTd had on order 30,000 tons of slack coal which had been dumped at Taupiri and had been under water for some time. This was being purchased at 7s 6d, in comparison with the rate of 7s ltd being paid by the board up to February last. With a mixture of more expensive coals, this supply would assist the board to carry on.

It was impossible for tlie board to accept any offer of “run of the mine” coal. This class of coal had once been tried at King’s Wharf after being crushed on the premises. It was not as satisfactory as slack and the expense was too great for economical operation. When the board burned overseas coal last week because local slack was not available, the. heat was so great that the doors of the furnaces were buckled and repairs had to be effected.

To Ml'. Holdsworth's criticism of the position making it necessary for the board to pay high prices for overseas coal “while there were men walking the streets and there is coal to be had in New Zealand,” a reply has been made that men employed at Pukemiro colliery had walked the streets of Pukemiro for three days in the past two weeks because of the dull demand for coal. Such a position is said to have obtained at other Waikato collieries and it is contended that there is no need to buy overseas coal. As much slack is stated to be coming from Waikato mines as up to the time of the bringing of Arapuni into operation, but there are increased orders from dairy companies.