COAL CARBONISATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18392, 28 July 1931, Page 6

COAL CARBONISATION.

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. VISIT TO ROTOWARO. INSPECT CARBONISATION WORKS. A party of members of the House of Representatives and the Legislative Council, including the Hons. W. Earnshaw and M. Fagan, M.L.C’s., Messrs P. Fraser, R. A. Wright, J. Linklater, W. J. Broadfoot, R. McKeen, J. A. Young, H. Holland (Christchurch North), and Walter Nash, M’s.P., visited the Waikato Coal Carbonisation Company’s plant at Rotowaro yesterday. The visit was arranged by Mr W. Lee Martin, ALP. At Huntly the visitors were met by the Mayor, Mr E. George, and members of the Borough Council. Afterwards they went to Rotowaro, where they were met by Mr J. Watson, manager of the Rotowaro coalmine, and Mr W. G. Heptinstall, manager of the carbonising plant. The works and the process of manufacturing briquettes were explained. Mr Heptinstall said a great deal of experimental work 'had been carried out since the plant had commenced working. The equipment was working satisfactorily, although the works were not yet running at full capacity.

After being shown over the works the visitors returned to Huntly, where they were entertained to tea. In the evening they left for Wellington.

VISIT TO HUNTLY. SEVERAL GRIEVANCES VOICED. In welcoming the 'Parliamentary party to Huntly the Mayor, Mr E. George, said Huntly was surrounded by large areas of second and thirdclass land, which was fast coming into development. The day was not far distant when its output of dairy produce would equal the output of coal. The miners in the district were very concerned about the short time they were obliged to work through lack of orders for coal. Usually the miners were kept busy in the winter months, but this year there was a great deal of slack time.

Minister’s Statement Questioned.

Mr 11. Holland, M.P. for Christchurch. North, said that the. Minister of Railways, the Hon. W. A. Veitcli, had recently staled that the New Zealand mines could riot produce suttlcient coal to keep the Railway Department supplied. For that reason coal had to be imported. Mr George said he could not understand the Minister’s statement. There was no doubt the output of the Waikato mines coulfl be greatly increased if the demand was there'. The Mayor then drew' attention to the unhealthy condition of the Huntly school ground, due to swamp seepage. The Auckland Education Board was applying for a grant to drain the property thoroughly. The proposal of the Railway Department to increase the charge for using the Huntly combined railway and traffic bridge from £4O to £4OO was mentioned. Mr George said the increase would Impose an unduly heavy burden on the borough.

New Railway Station Wanted,

The need of a new railway station at Huntly was stressed by the Mayor. Mr W. Lee Martin, ALP., paid a tribute, to the progress and enterprise shown by Mr George and those associated with him in promoting the interests of Huntly. The hope was expressed by the visitors that the Rotowaro scheme would prove a success, and that It would be the forerunner of a number of such plants in various coal-bearing areas in New Zealand.