COAL AND WOOD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12407, 27 August 1918, Page 3

COAL AND WOOD.

DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL.

MUNICIPAL INQUIRY INSTITUTED

iSpeaking in the City Council last n.ighi, Councillor E. J. Howard moved for the sotting up of a small committee to inquire into the question of coal, and the difficulty of obtaining it in Christchurch.

‘‘■J’horo is .something wrong in Christ elm veil at the present time/’ said Councillor Howard. “All of us are sufloriim from this coal shortage, but nobody Knows why. Even if there is a shortage of coal, which there ought not 1o be in n country like this, I want to bring attention to tho fact that there seems to he no law to compel the coal vendor to supply coal by weight. They supply a wick of coal, which may moan next to nothing at present. City councillors arc looked upon as city fathers, and it would be a paternal act to set the house in orders’ While in Grey, Councillor Howard added, he had heard the whistle blow Ireciuontly at night to indicate that then, would he network on the following day, and the shortage was not the tault of the men, for 'there were rakes and rakes, of trucks that the Government could not got away. “Where was this?” asked Councillor M’Kellar.

“At Runaiiga,’’ said Councillor Howard, who added that lie blamed the Government because it did not trouble its_ head about getting the coal to tho citizens. When tile coal arrived at 'Christchurch, there was no way in which an ordinary citizen could get it. Extraordinary precautions were ‘taken to see that a man put up the correct weight in tinned goods of any kind, and if a tradesman was selling milk or bread he was under hoary penalties to deliver tho exact commodity, hut half of the so-called coal was more like slate. and tho coal dealers seemed to enjoy special privileges. Councillor J. 11. Hayward said that ho had much sympathy .with the motion, for no subject had been more fully discussed in the city 'than the fact that the council did not interest itself in the matter of coal weight, In London every coal cart had a scale at the roar on which any purchaser could have the coal weighed. At present, in Christchurch it was more than likely that purchasers did not get their proper weight. Possibly the matter was covered by an existing by-law, and if so it should be put into force. Councillor ,1. \V. llcnuland suggested the inclusion of firewood in the motion, to ensure that when people bought, a cord of tiro wood they were not cheated ' out of half a cord.

Councillor A M’Kollar said that the coal merchant’s business was usually based on railway weights, and experience in balancing was that the merchant delivered less than he received according to his woigh-bridge accounts. Ue could not understand complaints of short weight unless there was .swindling. Lignite was more bulky than other coal, and if mixed coal was being delivered by sacks 'there might be light weight. As for wood, lie was satisfied that there had been intentional swindling, but he. did not think that any coal dealer deliberately swindled. “ I don’t think so either,” said Councillor Hayward, who added •that he, had listened for two hours during the week to iho General Manager of Railways, who had emphasised the fact that railway weights could not be taken for commercial purposes, hut were used only for chocking. Councillor M Kellnr said that 1 he always found railway weights reliable, but in any ease every bag of coal was weighed.

Councillor D. G. Sullivan said that the shortage of coal was duo to a shortage men. but lie was surprised that the Government had not established its own line of colliers. Moanwhile, [he municipality might undertake tho delivery of all coal in the city. There arc. hundreds of miners wajking about, even in this town.” said Councillor Howard in reply to Councillor biillivan, “and I am not prepared to agree that there is a shortage of men. There arc miners working for Die City Council at- 10s 3d a day who would hew coal if the conditions were made attractive.”

Thc motion was referred to the Reserves Committee, Councillor Howard being added to the committee for the purpose of the inquiry.