LOCAL COAL SUPPLY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1512, 7 August 1912, Page 6

LOCAL COAL SUPPLY.

1 A PRONOUNCED SHORTAGE. There is a pronounced shortage of coal in ■Wellington at the present time, caused by various reasons over which nobody nppears to have any control. Shortage of tonnage from Newcastle is said to be one cause, as, the result of which there has been an extraordinary demand on supplies from Iho West Coast. These fell behind six weeks ago, when through bad weather the- steamers were delayed at the coal ports of tho West Coast, and have never beer, overtaken. Following this camo a spell of very' cold weather, which has caused a bigger, household demand than is usual for this limo of the vear. Tho ■ first consideration of the State mines. is tho Railway Department, and as that Deportment had little in reserve, current shipments went largely to the railway yards, mid private people have had to go on short rations, until now tho loeal branch has had to positively refuse orders, until Iho present lieavy demand (over 1000 .orders) is supplied. The prospect should brighten within a few days. The Komata and Flora have brought full cargoes from Westnort, and 1100 tons of thoir coal will be available for householders this week. .The Waihora arrived from Newcastle on Monday morning, and is putting ashore 1500 tons of her cargo for local consumption. This should relieve the strain considerably until the West Const trade adjusts ilseli'. It is staled that the northern niine.s havo all they car. do to supply (he demands in Auckland and the district, nl'lhough the mines at. Waihi are idle. A spell of lino weather would bo the most effective means of easing the strain, but that can hardly lie looked for at this lime of the year. What would tend tu prevent shortages of coal such os have bson experienced this winter in Wellington would be the piling up of a big,, reserve of coal by the Railway Department and other large users in the summer months.