CITY'S COAL

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1892, 29 October 1913, Page 8

CITY'S COAL

THEEE WEEKS' SUPPLY IN HAND. With the exception of the ferry steamer Duchess, no steamer has been coaled in. Wollington Harbour since Friday last, and no coal for shore supply lias been handled since that day, owing to tho strike.- Tho lighting of tho city depends on coal, and most of the power supply, electrical or gas, is also dependent on it. Inquiries made *yesterday ciicited the fact that tho State Coal Department is experiencing a mild rush on its supplies, both from industrial firms and householders. Yesterday the department (according to the general manager, Sir. W. 0. Gascoigno) had about 500 tons in the local depots. How long that- quantity wi'il suffice to supply tho needs of citizens dopends entirely on the demands made on it. The department has another 1500 tons on tho Poherua in tho harbour.

Messrs." S. Brown and Co. have, sufficient coal in hand to last for about a week. Ordinary customers aro being given profereneo over now ones. The Wostport Coal Company has enough in stock to supply customers for tho next fortnight, and another 2000 tons in hulks. Steamers which would ordinarily bring their supplies from Wostport to Wellington aro being diverted to other porta. The Komata and Canopus'are at present loading at Westport. The destination of tiieso steamers desponds entirely on strike developments in Wellington. Municipality Has Six WeeUs'^Supply. On inquiry from the tramways managed (Mr. Richardson) it was ascertained that- the municipality has enough coal in Wellington to supply both t.ho tramways and electric lighting powerhnises for the next six weeks. Mr. Wm. Ferguson, managing director of tho Wellington Gas Company, said that ho was experiencing no anxiety on the score of coal stocks. In answer to tho question as to how long the works could continue with present ■stocks, Mr. Ferguson merely stated that he was "quite- satisfied." It is estimated from tho foregoing that the city will bo able to keep going comfortably enough for the next three v-eoks, oven if tho coal cargoes of steamers and hulks in the harbour are not touched.