COLLIERS LEAVE FOR WELLINGTON

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 228, 23 June 1944, Page 4

COLLIERS LEAVE FOR WELLINGTON

Position On West Coast Dominion Special Service. GtREYMOUTH, June 22. Stocks of coal in Wellington having reached small proportions as the result of the dislocation of West Coast shipments, it was expected this morning that the Rata, which sailed from Greymouth for Nelson with 800 tons, might be diverted to Wellington to help out the position. However, an improvement in the situation at Westport enabled the departure of the Karepo and Wingatui for Wellington and also the 1 Kaimiro and Kiwitea for Auckland and the Holmlea for New Plymouth. The only other ship to leave Greymouth was the Titoki for New Plymouth, she and the Rata having a difficult crossing in the heavy seas. The Kurtigi has been bar-bound for nine days and the I’oolta for five days, both with coal for Wellington, while the Karn with timber for Wellington has also been unable to sail. Bar conditions were very bad this afternoon, and an extremely low barometer presages fresh storms. Meanwhile, 3000 tons of goods traffic, mostly coni, is being diterted to the railway for transport to Canterbury daily. This includes 404) tons of Buller district coal daily. The first coal from the second open-cast mine at Burke's Creek, in tbe Reefton coalfield, will be railed next week Production has been held up awaiting the loading of machinery and also because of the weather.