COAL SHORTAGE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16885, 5 August 1919, Page 4

COAL SHORTAGE.

MR R. SEMPLE'S ALLEGATIONS (Per Press Association)?.

WELLINGTON, August 2. Mr R. Semple, M.P., states that.he has received confidential reports as to railway coal stocks between Wellington and Franktou Junction. He says that his information is • from reliable quarters, ancl he is positive that there is no justification l'oi; the present chaotic state of affairs brought about by the railway ''cut."Mr Semple's report states that at Paekakariki there is plenty of coal, the Palmerston North yard is full up, and a i'efr days ago the authorities asked -wher6. the extra coal that is coming was to be stored. A't Cross Creek. Mar ton and Taih ape similar conditions are reported. In ' Wellington _ there is fit leiist 3000 tons In "the "bins and yards. . Mr' -Semple demands a public inquiry.

MR SEMPLE'S CHARGES REFUTED.

Interviewed regarding the serious allegations as to sufficiency of coal stocks held by ■ the Raihvajv Department, Mr R. W. MoYilly stated that for the week ended July 12 the gross total held by all depots from Auckland to the Bluff was 8330 tons, for the week ended July 19 10,291 tons and for the week ended July 26 8900 tons. On July 12 there was only 130 tons ; at Faekakariki, and on Monday last 50 tons at* Palmerston North, from..which supplies, were-drawn-for depots as far north as Taumarunui, and on occasions for the Napier and Wanganui lines and as far as Hawera. Then New Plymouth only held 1100 . tons on Monday. At Cross * Creek, "which, '.wss, also djwn upon .to replenish other depots, there was but 425 tons, while Marton. had 75 tons. Instead of 3000 tons at''Weir lington as asserted by Mr Semple, there was only 560 tons. He wished the public definitely to understand that the coal stocks in the areas were set out in the statements recently placed before the public, and it was much to be regretted that statements should. be made without first-hand information.