THE CITY'S COAL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1917, 27 November 1913, Page 8

THE CITY'S COAL.

COUNCIL',} EMPLOYEES TURN TO. As the. thousand tons of coal purchased by the City Council from the steamer Melbourne's cargo were not coining to hand as quickly as was desired, volunteers from among the City Council's employees were called to take a turn at unloading yesterday. More men than were needed responded to the call, but only eight were selected. These men were from the City Engineer's department. The work of filling coal-baskets whilst standing on crumbling hillsides of coal inside an iron tank is no doubt arduous, but the stuck to their job right manfully, and half an how after they started could hardly bo recognised as different from the orthodox "coalie." "Many of our men wanted to turn to," said the Mayor, yesterday, "but, whilst it was necessary to safeguard the coal, supplies for our two very important services (tramways and fighting), I thought that, as few as possible should be brought within the purview of the disturbance." The Mayor added that the supply was unscreened Newcastle coal ■of the be6t quality. The city paid 245. Gd. per ton for it. as against the usual 18s. per ton paid for AVestport slack, but, owing to the excellent steam qualities of ""the Newcastle coal, the dilference in price was not anything like so great as it appeared to be on paper. Mr. Luke announced that arrangements had prat-, tinally been completed for another 1200 tons of coal which would be available "in good time." :. "Notwithstanding the present limited tramway service, which has been rendered expedient on account of the reduced earning power .-of a section of the community," said "Mr. Luke, "our revenue for the past month was £18 better than for the corresponding month last year, but I anticipate that the current four weeks' returns will tell another tale. For instance, our receipts for Sunday last were £1(10 less than they are on an ordinary Sunday. This can only lie attributed to restricted finance in some quarters."