THE COAL SUPPLY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14886, 28 January 1914, Page 4

THE COAL SUPPLY.

6 SEVERAL BIG CARGOES TO HAND. (SPECIAt TO "TnS TRESS.") "WELLINGTON, January 27. As a result of the arrival of foreign coal cargoes in New Zealand, it is stated that the supply of blinker coal is now amply assured until the end of March. Shipping companies are thoreforo quite independent of local eupplies, though tho desire, on coastal boats especially, to get back to Westport coal is not denied. The Transraal article does not appear to be in favour. The largest of the foreign coal boats chartered during the strike and yet to arrive, the Knight of tho Thistle, camo into port to-(Tay. She is from Calcutta, with 12,000' tons of coal. The Thistle is the third boat to arrive with coal from Calcutta in threo days, and there are nvn\> to oome. For some weeks past coal has boon pouring into Now Zealand from oversea. Several big cargoes of oca! have been brought to Lyttelton, Wellington arid Auckland from Newcastle, and thousands of tons from Dolagoa Bay and Calcutta by tramp steamers. Most of tho charters wore arranged during the strike period, when all New Zealand mines were shut down, and coal supplies were running short. One bifj tramp steamer, with the unusual name of Racs. is at present on her way to New Zealand from Hull with a full cargo of specially picked gas coal. Several big cm-goes of coal are due this week from Newcastle. The Norwegian steamer Sverre, which has already landed oneenrgoat Wellincrton. was due at Lyttelton yesterday with 5000.0r 60fX> tons of coal from Newcastle. The Boveric. which discharged at Lyttelton about three weeks asro. is now loading another full cargo of coal at Newcastle for Lyttelton. The Hercules and the Twickenham, both fully laden with coal, left Newcastle on Saturday, tho former for Auckland and the latter for Wellington.