THE COAL SHORTAGE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 246, 11 July 1919, Page 6

THE COAL SHORTAGE

DOMESTIC SUPPLIES A LITTLE EASIER. Inquiries made yesterday show that coal supplies for domestic purposes in Wellington aro a little easier than was the case at this time last week. The plant of the State coal depot has been working at high pressure delivering tho 8300 orders booked last week, and it is hoped that the depot will be in a position to receive further orders nest week, The chief trouble of the Coal Trade Committee is to keep apace with the demands of the gas companies throughout the Dominion. So far no gas company has had to cease operations or even to make any serious restrictions. .It; is' simply unfortunate that at" the worst tinip in the year the boats should bo held up owing to the seamen's 6trike in Aus- ■ tralia. The Wellington Gas Company is still working* from hand to mouth. Had the Perth been able to load and get away from Newcastle she w : ould have ■ brought over a full cargo for the company, but, unfortunately, she is manned with an Australian crew, and is held up by the strike. The Prinzessiu, which recently brought troops out from England, was to have loaded 3000 tons of coal at Newcastle on Wednesday and yesterday for tho New Zealand Jtaihrays. After loading at Newcastle she is to call at Sydney and pickup the balance, of the exiles, who were unable to leave by the Manuka. .

The firewood depot which is being established by the .Munitions Department at the Davis Street extension will be for operations next week. The section has been fenced in, an engine and. circular saw plant is now being erected, and arrangements are being made for supplies of wood from the nearest points along the railway lines where it is available. A new railway siding into the yard has already been laid down. From the new yard firewood only will be obtainable, and,-owing to the heavy expense that would bo e'nfailcd on the purchase of carts and horses or motor lorries, the public will have to niako their own arrangements for deliveries from the depot. The Euahine did not bring/a lead of coal from Newport News. She merely, bunkered at that port.