STRIKE THREATS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 221, 17 September 1940, Page 6

STRIKE THREATS.

COAL POSITION. POWER BOARD'S QUANDARY. "Stop work meetings and the everpresent threat of Btrikes, together with the increased consumption of coal in New Zealand, dictates the policy of holding at least 4000 tons of coal in stock," said the district electric engineer at Hamilton, Mr. A. Caldwell, in a letter reiul at yesterday's meeting of the Auckland Electric Power Board, asking the board to arrange to purchase a further 2000 tons of coal from the South Island. "I am led to believe that th« supply of Waikato coal to your board from the Glen Afton mine is likely to cease," wrote Mr. Caldwell. "Should this occur the 2000 tons of southern coal on the dump would be used up before it could be replenished."

The coal requirements of King's wharf until the middle of February were estimated at 1000 tons a week with a drop in consumption during December and early January, the letter stated. The estimate was based t>n the steadily fulling level at Taupo and the diminution of oil fuel consumption at Evan's Bay. During the next two weeks the coal burnt at King's wharf would be about 700 tons per week. He was endeavouring to arrange for an exchange of 400 tons of Kamo coal with the dairy factories each week. If this could be done it would enable the present 800 tons allotment of Waikato coal to be reduced to COO ton*, which, with the additional 400 tons of Waikato coal made available in lieu of the Kamo coal, would provide the desired 1000 tons a week. The engineer asked the board to take steps to ensure that the minimum quantity of 600 tons continued to be supplied with a possible increase to 1000 tons should an exchange with the dairy factories be allowed.

"Tlie coal situation in connection with our plant at King's wharf has given our officials more trouble than anything else connected with the board," said the chairman, Mr. S. J. Harbutt. "We do not know from day to day whether we can obtain sufficient coal for our requirements." Mr. S. I. Crookes: There is plenty of coal in the Waikato. The chairman: That is so, but we cannot get it from the mines. The letter was received, the board accepting the engineer's recommendation to purchase 2000 tons additional of coal from the West Coast of the South Island.