NO SHORTAGE OF COAL

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14830, 22 November 1913, Page 12

NO SHORTAGE OF COAL

QUINLAN COMPANY'S SEASON ABANDONED. (PKBSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, November 21. There was no molestation of men who started work at the Timber Mills today. One or two were stuck up by pickets, who merely spoke to them, and they passed on. . About twenty men who congregated on a hill at tho foot of Hardingo street were dispersed by constables, and men standing about Customs street were kept on the move by uniformed policemen. A large contingent of mounted, "specials" were, in a convenient position if their services had been required, but they had nothing to do.

The Vancouver mail steamer Marama arrived from Sydney this morning. She takes in a large shipment of butter. It is understood that no shore leave will be allowed to the seamen or firemen. She is due to sail at 6 o'clock to-morrow evening.

The Sturmfels, with a quantity of machinery, from New York, was brought alongside* Queen's wharf this morning, , and a commencement was made to dis■cbar«e -her • carga. Tho Tongariro,. Muritai, Kaituna, and- Kurow, stall occupy berths at King's wharf, and the unloading of cargo in connection with each is proceeding. The, Wanaka is discharging at Northern wharf, and the Loch Garvo at No. 2 jetty. The Squall, of the Richardson line, arrived from the East Coast this, morning, making her first visit to the port since the commencement of the strike. The Opawa, which finished loading butter and general produce late last evening, got away at 1 35 α-m. for the East Coast ports and Wellington, thence leaving for London. . As far ac can be ascertained there is no reason to fear a panic as a result of any shortage in coal-supplies,, although the position was regarded as. hkelv to become ncuto when the strike eet in. Some two or three thousand tons of Newcastle coal hayo since been placed on the market, and arrangements have been made to discharge four colliers (now in the stream) within a few days. The steamer Kurow, from Newcastle, has partially about 500 tons still remaining in her holds. On Monday next the Koromiko is due to commence discharging coal for the sugar works, and the Whangape is duo within the rnext few days, from Newcastle. It is understood tnat coal merchants are booking large orders with guarantees of delivery during December. Coke is in good supply, and is being largely used by factories, etc., in lieu of coal. . A further batch of city "specials (probably 300) is being sworn-in to augment the force which has been on duty during the past fortnight., This step has been deemed advisable in view or tho establishment of the xhird encampment at Kings Wharf, and also because the authorities feel that the men already on duty should in certain cases be given more time off. This will provide a force of over 1000 foot "specials." The scope or operations has been extending considerably during the past'few days, particularly in the early morning, when large parties march out to various suburbs by diverse routes to see that the strike pickets do not become over-zealous. At tho conclusion of the meeting of the.Master Builders' Committee thie morning, it was announced that eight hundred more men have resumed on various contracts, and at the workshops It is estimated that-500 to 600 carpenters, 150 painters, and 100 plasterers are now employed. The Auckland season of the Quinlan Grand Opera .Company has been abandoned in consequence of tTie strike. This was to hare been much the most important operatic ©vent that has yet taken place in New Zealand, and the company was to appear at Auckland only, en route between Australia and America.