STATE COAL MINES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2464, 18 May 1915, Page 8

STATE COAL MINES

REASONS FOR SLACKNESS. Figures wore quoted effectively by the Minister of Mines (the Hon. W. traser) by way of reply to the charges being made against the Government in connection with the slaok times at the State Coal Mines in a statement he made to. a reporter on the subject yesterday.

"During the past twelve months," said Mr, Fraser, "the production of coal at the Liverpool mine for the four quarters of the year has been as follows:—First quarter, 11,600 tons; second quarter, 83,009 tons; third quarter, ■19,044 tons; fourth quarter, 26,947 tons; and during the months of April the production was 7138 tons. The figures for the Point Elizabeth mine were: First quarter, • 30,654 tons; sccond quarter, 35,912 tons; third quarter, 31,455 tons; fourth quarter, 30,784 tons; and for the month of April, 7399 tons. I should explain that owing to faults occurring in the coal seam in tho Liverpool Mine a considerable amount of boring had to ihe done during the third quarter of the year. Fortunately the results were satisfactory. But at present all tho bins, and all the available trucks, are full, owing to the state of the Greymoufcli fcar preventing ths ingress and egress of shipping. I can't control the weather, and as soon as the weather improves work will proceed. In the meantime we have nowhere to put coal, and consequently work cannot go on as usual until coal enn bo shipped."

DAIRY STOCK & IMPLEMENT SALE. To-morrow, May 19, the whole of Mr. Green's choice herd of dairy. cows and heifers., .pigs,- implements, machinery, etc., will be submitted to auction, at his homestead, Karere, noar Longburn, owing to the vendor having disposed of his Tiroperty. The 110 cows are Jersey and Holstein-cross, stated to l>o in splendid condition, and showing well forward to: profit, and due to calve in July and August. They were specially selected as 'heifers, and have always been most care-, fully-handlc-d. Included in the offering there arc also 2d choice heifers, September calvers, 1 purebred Holstcin bull, and a number-of breeding-sows, porkers, and : 1 purebred Berkshire boar. The special items in tho large collection of machinery are Simplex 5-cow releaser plant, 21 li.p. Lister engine, Lister shearing plant, 31- h.p. Wolseloy- engine, Diedrich straw press (which has been working this season), and a large collection of farm implements, etc., to be offered, and the sale, which will commence, at 11 o'clock sharp, will be conducted by Messrs. Dalgety and Co., -Ltd., auctioneers.

'At the annual meeting of the Masterton Centre of the Farmers' Union tILC following committee was appointed: Messrs. H. Morrison, J. C. Cooper. A. J. Perry, W. Perry, D. jrGregor, B. D M'Kcnzie, G. A. Bruce, D. W. Foreman, H. R. Wilton,' F. W. H. KumTncr, D. Smith, and J. 0. M'Killop. Messrs. H. Morrison and D. Jl'Gregor were elected members of the Wairarapa Executive.