COAL SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 35, 5 November 1919, Page 6

COAL SUPPLIES

POSITION AT THE GASWORKS

A CRISIS YESTERDAY

That largo section of the public which depends on »us for uther lighting, cooking or heating:, or for .'ill three, will be peivnrbcd at learning that they were within measureable distance of » "eutoiV" last night, owing to the imperative need there seenicit to ho Tor conserving 115 much as possible the gas in the coiiiiiinr-rs. Although the company lias paid high prices for coal supplies during the past few months, it has not been able In lav in stocks, and bad weather on the Grevnumth bar has delayed the arrival of a steamer which was to bring a load of coal to augment (he Neweristic coal with which Hie company has been supplied bv the Union &.&.. '•.onipanv. That steamer has been in tho roadstead for a few clays awaiting a chance to cross inwards. It is an astounding fact that no New Zealand coal has been available since .September 9, owing to the persistent go-slow policy at the mines. Tho Coal Committee sen. a hulk to Miramar on Monday, but owing to bad weather only a small qnantilv of coal could be worked that day, anil vestordny morning tht- coal workers, with'oilier watersidcrs, were engaged on a stop-work meeting. The hulk was taken alongside at. 3 p.m. yesterday, and tho men worked on her until.a p.m., turning out from G5 to 70 tons of coal, which enabled tho works to be kept fully (joins' through the night. Store coal will' be discharged to-day (weather permitting), mid it is honed that this source will last tho company until the.Kamo arrives here on Monday from Greymouth.