THE COAL STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3058, 20 April 1917, Page 8

THE COAL STRIKE

CITY SERVICES TRAMS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT BIG REDUCTIONS TO COME - l ■ The City Council considered in committeo last night proposals to reduce tho tramway and lighting services, owing to tho short supplies ol coal hold by the city, and the certainty that no more coal is likely to be procurable until tho miners' strike is ended. The council adopted tho following report of Mr. \V. H. Morton, General Manager of tho Tramways and Electric Lighting Department:— "As instructed, I have carefully considered tho best possible means of enabling the present stock of coal at tho electrio lighting station and at the tramway power station to meet the urgent demands of both services for as long a period as possible, and after consultation with the electrical engineers of both departments, I have to report: as follows: — Electric Lighting Department. "There is at this station sufficient coal when mixed with coke, as at present delivered from tho gasworks, to last for about two months. Tho average daily'consumption of coal is about 30 tons, which is consumed during three watches as follows:—8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 8 tons; 4 plm. to 12 midnight, 16 tons; 12 midnight to 8 a.m., 6 tons. The greatest economy can be made by reducing the peak load to such an extent as will, obviato the necessity of keeping- the fires banked in the old boiler .house in Harris Street. ' The use of the old boilers is only essential during the heavy peak load in winter months, when the now boilers are worked to their utmost capacity. Tho probable shortage of coal, however, seems-to warrant the taking of extra risk, and it therefore seems necessary to consider in what manner such risks could bo lessened. The most certain method would be by reducing the peak load so as to bring same within the capacity of tho boilers in the new boiler house, and this could be done by:

"(a) The hours fi>r-cessation of work in business premises to bo altered as follow:—Offices and warehouses, • 4.30 p.m.; shops, 0.3u p.m.

•'Tiiis would mean, the adopting of a' ■daylignt-saving scheme tomeec present requirements,, antl 1 seo no reason wiry. the alteration could not. be .'made ana work commence a hall' hour earlier, fciuch alteration would also, 1 think, tend to diminish.the over-crowding on the trams between 6 and b' p.m. In Cliristciiurch many lirms have already altered their working' hours in a similar manner so as to .be able to take advantage of the lower rates at .winch power is. supplied outside tho peak hours. I am informed that Gisborne has'also adopted a similar system. '

"(b) Street lighting to be. cut off at 12 midnight, hut as explained by the electrical engineer of tho lighting department tho saving in coal consump-' tion would not bo great, and extra risks in other directions would bo incurred, as one generator would be required to be kept in action during night hours, and the saving to be' effected' would ho tho 'difference in running the machine'at three-quarter load and full load, which in actual practice is not great.. , '..- ... ■ "(c) The cutting out of all external 'illuminating'and advertising signs until, say, 7.30 p.m., or. such other hour as may bo .found advisable by the electrical engineer of tho lighting department during tho timo the shortage of coal continues. "(d) Picture theatres not to bo supplied with lighting between 4.30 and 7 p.m. '" Tramway Department. "As /regards tho Tramway Department, I have to make the following suggestions:— ':•■■■■ "(a) That Sundays traffic bo curtailed as far as possible by charging a universal 6d. fare over all lines. This will reduce travelling probably 50 per cent.' Tho mere provision of a limited number of cars would bo dangerous, as people would crowd on to same; overcrowding on Sundays can only be prevented by charging higher fares as suggested. . "(b) By reducing tho number of cars in traffic during slack • hours. (Tho Engineer's proposals provide for a 20 minutes' service to Island Bay, Lyall Bay, Brooklyn, Aro Street, Orientalßay, and .Gardens, a 24 minutes' service to Wallace Street, a 10 minutes' service to Il>taitai and Nowtown, and slight alterations in' tho AYadestown, Scatoun; and Karon services.) :— . • . "This will, result," . Mr. Morton states, "in a saving of power required during the slack hours of the day, but will be economical only as regards coal, (c) The spreading of tho hours for the cessation-of work should certainly result in a reduction of the peak load and a. saving of at least one boiler during such period; (d) picture theatres not to be supplied with power,between •1.30 and 7 p.m. "In conclusion, I desire to add that the shortage of coal is at present more acuto in the Tramway Department than in tho Lighting Department, there being only about threo weeks' 1 supply available. : "If, however, the . trouble becomes more acuto and indications are given that a very protracted striko is inevitable, it should bo-determined whether it will or not.bo advisable_ to continuo the work of tho Lighting Department in preference to that of tho Tramway Department." - . ,

ONE FOR THE STRIKERS WESTL'AND CITIZENS BEHIND THE GOVERNMENT. " By Telegraph—Press Association. Hokitika, April 19. At the conclusion of a representative 'meeting of farmers and others, held here yesterday, a telegram sent to the Acting-Prime Minister by the United Federation of Labour was referred to, and a motion was carried unanimously,.-and with 'prolonged applause, to notify tho Prime Minister that tlie Westland district was behind tho Government in its desire to seo tho National Servico Act fully carried out. Tho wisdom of tho country, expressed through Parliament, passed the Act, and the desire was to have tho Act fully enforced. Or. the carrying of the motion, the large audienco rose and sang the- National. Anthem. " GOVERNMENT DETERMINED HOKITIKA CITIZENS' ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hokitika, April 19. . Tho Acting-Prime Minister and tho Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald visited Hokitika to-day. Tho Town Hall was crowded to meet the visitors. The county chairman presided aiid short addresses wero given by the Ministers. Sir .las. Allen, referring to tho cause of the visit to the coast, said he and his colleague had addressed the miners in many part of the district. Tho miners wero taking a secret ballot on tho question of resuming work. The Government would be delighted if the men •wont back, but if there was an adverse vote tho Government would do its duty. Tho speakers both referred to tho part New Zealand is ..playing in the-war,

and affirmed that tho Government was] determined io seo the Military Sorvico Act carried out. Tho following resolution was carried unanimously, tho audience cheering and i singing the National Anthem: "That this meeting pledges itself to support the National Government in giving effect to any measures that may ho deemed necessary to deal wjtli tlio present national crisis." - HUNTLY MINERS' BALLOT TO-MORROW ■By . Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, April 19. There are no developments regarding the strike. The Huntly miners aro still working, and are.expected to tako a secret ballot on. Saturday. AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL'S ACTION Auckland, April, 19. Tho City Council to-night decided to cut off the supply of current for electrical signs and verandah lights, also for tho Tramway' Company, which obtains portion of its.. supply from the municipality. Tho Mayor and the engineer were authorised to take action with regard to lifts and picture shows if necessary. MASONIC LODGE GATHERING Auckland, April 19. ■ Tho Masonic authorities have decided, owing to the unsettled.railway arrangements, to allow the communications of the Grand Lodge of New"Zealand, set down for Invercargill on May 2, to lapse. ' ' . POSITION AT WANGANUI By Telegraph—Special Correspondent. : Wangamii, April 19. _ The coal stvikejj the absorbing topic of conversation,and_ there is no doubt that serious dislocation of industry wlil accrue in AYanganui and the ■ .Main Trunk districts. A\tremendous demand for coal has set in and dealers are only allowing applicants one sack at a time, the price for which has risen to 6s. per sack.