AUCKLAND'S COAL SUPPLY. BY RAIL. Auckland, August 29. AUCKLAND'S COAL SUPPLY.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 295, 1 September 1888, Page 4

AUCKLAND'S COAL SUPPLY. BY RAIL. Auckland, August 29.

AUCKLAND'S COAL SUPPLY.

Some speculation has been indulged in as to whether the Auckland railways would bo equal to the conveyance of a greatlyincreased output of coal from the Waikato mines, and with (.he object of supplying the necessaiy information, a Star reporter interviewed Mr Hudson, the local manager, yesterday afternoon. Mr Hudson complained of a statement made by our Huntley correspondent that the line had been blocked, and added that there had been no block on the day in question. Mr Hudson explained that trains take doubletuenumberof trucke between Huntley and Mercer that they take between Mercer and Auckland, in consequence of the difference in the grade, and consequently Mercor becomes the depot for tiaffic. Provision is made at Mercer to run double the number of trains to meet this condition of affairs, and so far from it being the case that the railway is unable to cope with the business that exists, or has existed, Mr Hudson is confident that the Department would be able to do a great deal more, if called upon. The Waikato mines dependentupon the railway for transportation of coals are situated in the vicinity of Huutley,6smilediiptheline. These are the Taupiri Extended, situated on the eastern side of the line ; the Waikato Coal and Shipping Company's mine, on the western side of the line and across the Waikato River ; and the Taupiri Reserve, on the eastern bide of the line, about lh miles nearer Auckland. Last year, the Auckland railways carried 70,000 tons of coal, and Mr Hudson says that if height were handed over regularly, they could carry a great deal more with the piesent plant. II the coal was handed over irregularly and in lump quantities, some difficulty would probably be experienced. The locomotives of the Auckland railways draw their coal supply from the Taupiri Extended under contract, and the consumption is about 9,000 tons per annum.

THE WHAU WHAU MINE. Complaint is made by the management of the Whau Whau coal mine that they have been treated with great injustice by the Government in respect of maintenance of the Company's branch line. The Railway Department, it appears, gave notice on Friday last that, unless certain repairs were attended to before the 25th inst., all traffic would be stopped from that date. The manager at once telegraphed to Mr Thompson, JM.H.R , pointing out the injustice of this step, cutting the Company short in its work, and asking him to use his influence in securing the maintenance of this line by the Government. This Mr Thompson at once did, but with little result, for a reply was received that the " Government decline to maintain the line t any longer." The " Northern Advocate," commenting on this affair, says: "At a time liko the present, when the strike in Australia is likely to produce a famine in coal, and in the face of the fact already wired, that 'New Zealand coal had risen to 15& per ton, it is suicidal it) the extreme for the Government so to treat this Company as. to stop, or at least to retard, the work in cr and development of this mine. Suicidal both in respect to the mine and to the Government, for this pit has recently so far improved in its prospects that, for certain, within a short space of time £700 to £800 will be paid to the Government for haulage alone ; and, as the present works proceed other seams will doubtless be found, which will continue to be a source of revenue If the Company are to maintain the line themfelves, then, in all fairness, a reduction should be made in freight. There is neither reason nor justice in the present stato of things. The Kamo mine, immediately contiguous, clcftr of all other charges, pays the same haulage as the Whau AVhau mine, which is another illustration of the injustice complained of.' 1