Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1901. THE COAL COMMISSION.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 19 August 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1901. THE COAL COMMISSION.

We cannot compliment the Coal Commissioners upon the “ result ”—presuming that their report is the result of their enquiries in this district. To those acquainted with the district,

a strong bias appears to be displayed i against our coal resources. Dea ing with the Brunner Mine, the Commissioners declare there are only about 200,000 tons of available coal to be taken from the mine, when, if a new seam is not found, the mine must close. Now Mr. Allison, who, we presume, ought to know, sets down the quantity of 400,000, or just double what the Commissioners find. The charges made by Mr, Russell—a deputy who worked in the mine, and knew every portion of it—is jantily disposed of in the following manner: —“ The colour given to this charge is derived from the fact that the Westport Coal Company and the Grey Valley Coal Company are practically the same proprietary, but the evidence we have taken goes far to disprove this charge of having designedly lost £IOO,OOO of their shareholders’ money, and having deliberately put out unmarketable coal in order to close two out of the three Brunner mines, and thus create a monopoly for their Westport coal.” Now this is not the gist of Mr, Russell’s charge. He never accused the Company of designedly losing £IOO,OOO of the shareholders’ capital but what he did say was that the supply then exceeded the demand, anc that the Company elected to put al their energies into the Westport Coa Mines, and practically abandon those at Brunner; and neither Commission'

ers, Company nor any one else will deny this fact. In regard to Coal Pit Heath, the Commissioners have the following very significant sentence : “ Very shortly after the amalgamation the waters overcame the pumps and the mine was drowned out. The Coal Pit Heath ‘Mine represents a loss of some £IOO,OOO in shareholders’ capital.” If that amalgamation had not taken place, would the waters have been allowed to drown the mine out ? Apparently the Commissioners did not think this matter worthy of enquiry. In regard to the re-opening of the mine, the report says;—“ We have to take the opinions of a few individuals on this point, and cannot obtain knowledge at first hand ; we therefore cannot speak with certainly on it.” Why did not the commission get that first hand knowledge ? It was easy enough to get. Then coming to the Wallsend mine, the Commissioners declare that the Westport Colliery Company closed the mine because of the inferior Coal and bemuse the supply from Brunner mas sufficient to meet d< mands, but 1 they say nothing about the evidence given as to the existence of a large ; area of good coal. Then as to the ! trial shipment sent to Melbourne, the Commissioners say: It has been alleged that when a trial shipment of Wallsend coal was sent to Australia it was purposely made up of inferior coal, so as to ruin the reputation of the mine, but the charge is so grave and is ■ so entirely unsupported by any proof that, even in the absence of denial, we could not treat it as having any weight; but the question was specifically put to Mr. Joachim, and we are satisfied that the management of the Company were neither foolish enough nor base enough to do anything of the kind, and that the shipment was made up and sent in good faith, and proved a failure.” Here we , have another instance of invasion. It was upon this shipment that the coal was mainly condemned, yet the Commissioners do not mention that f this particular cargo consisting of 1,700 tons, only six hundred tons came out of the Wallsend Mine. Then dealing with the Tyneside Mine the Commissioners dispose of it in the following sentence: —“ It is said to bo faulted to such an • extent as to render working unprofitable.” It would be interesting to know who the Commissioners refer to when they say “It is said.” Why did they not make direct enquiries ? A Commission that has cost the country £1,900 should surely be expected to unearth actual evidence, and be in a position to supply reliable data. So far as the Grey Valley enquiry has gone, we regard the expense incurred as absolutely thrown away.