COALING AT AUCKLAND.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13636, 15 April 1908, Page 5

COALING AT AUCKLAND.

IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED.

Per Press Association.

AUCKLAND, April 14. The Marine Department has forwarded to Auckland a copy of a. letter received from the -Vice- Admiral of the Australian Squadron in regard to establishing a depot for the storage of coal for the use of the navy at Auckland. The letter states : "I considor it to be certainly desirable that a depot with more rapid appliances for rapid coaling should bo established at Auckland, in which coal could be stored at any time of prospective need. In peace times the needs of the navy at Auckland are not large, and the reserve of 500 tons now kept by the Westport Coal Company is sufficient to meet the current demands of single ships, while a collier can always be ordered to meet the squadron on its visits to New Zealand. Tho danger is that if any large amount of coal was stored there would not be sufficient turnover to ensure its being as good as under present conditions. At present tho price of coal for H.M. ships at Auckland is higher than at Wellington or Lyttelton, and therefore ships only coal there when necessary. The coaling appliances generally in Australasia are much behind the times, and I am of opinion that modern appliances would, bo of great assistance to the rapid coaling of mercantile steamers, and so make for -economy in their working." The letter was referred to the Harbour Board in committee. Mr W. J. Napier said that if modern appliances were adopted the cost of handling coal could be lessened by 5s per ton. It was the Board's duty to supply the requisite mddern machinery.