BAD COAL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 87, 7 January 1920, Page 6

BAD COAL

LOCAL FLEET AFFECTED.The fact that the local committee actin"- for the Government, has been commandeering all the good bunker coal in port for Home steamers, coupled with the fact that the mines closed down for a fortnight on the AYost Coast, has left onlv restricted quantities of low-grade cna'l for the local and coastal steamers. Tho ferry steamer Maori, which left here at 7.15 p.m. on Friday last, did not reach Lyttelton until 1.30 p.m. on Saturday. .Her arrival here at .10 a.m on Sunday was three hours after scheduled time, anil so slow was her speed going down the entrance on Monday evening that people along the shore fane-ed that she must have broken down. This was due to her having been bunkered with cnal a arge proportion of which was a shaly stone, utterly worthless for steam purposes The matter is very serious, but it is honed that the'situation will be considerably improved before the end of the week. In the meantime it is giving the powers that be cause for considerable anxiety. POSITION SEIUOUS IN AHCKLAND. In regard, to coal supplies, the Auckland Gas Company and the City TramwW are still unable to build up any reserve stocks (stales the "New Zealand flerald"). Tho Gas Company, however, expects to recoive a consignment of 1500 tons early this week by the steamer Eakanoa. which is coining from Newcastle. In the case of the tramways only sufficient coal is in hand to covor tho holiday period. The resumption of work at the mines is expected to relievo position.