THE COAL SHORTAGE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 237, 1 July 1919, Page 6

THE COAL SHORTAGE

DISAPPOINTED HOUSEHOLDERS.

"No coal orders taken" was the notice outside some of the suburban coal yards ve-'-torday. Householders wlio liau losu in the newspapers that $£>me hundreds ot tons of coal were being released for local consumption were disappointed, but the dealers ' explained that, they liau aecumulated enough orders to absorb all tna coal within their reach. Other dealers were able to take orders, but would not promise delivery of even single sacks this week. , , The Coal Committee may be able to supplv firewood from tho station at Thorndbn before the end of this week. 'The wood is to bo sold to householders for use in open fireplaces with coke, and it ought to afford a considerable measure 'of relief. There appears to be some prejudice against coke ancr wood nies in the ininds of many people, but as a matter of fact very good results may bo obtained with this combination of fuel. Ihe fire should be started with plenty ot wood, and the coke placed on top when a «trong blaze has been secured. Once stnrteil, the fire should be disturbed as little as possible, since the coke does not respond to poking. Additional wood is required at intervals to keep the fare burning vigorously. The waterside workers deprived Wel< 1 install of some coal on Saturday by refusing to work the Ngaltere after 5 p.m. The collier had still about 220 tons of coal in her. holds when the men ceased work, and fiiis amount of cdal had to be taken back to Greymouth, where the Ngtuli'ero loaded yesterday. The 220 tons of coal will come back to Wellington, but it will occupy space that otherwise would have- been available for an additional 220 tons, so that the loss will not bo made good. Tho'system of coal permits is now m /nil operation. These permits are obtained 'by the dealers, who are required to submit their orders for the approval of the Coal Committee, and the system is stated to be proving effective in preventing people securing an uufnir advantage over their neighbours by lodging orders 'with .several retailers.