STATE COAL MINES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1535, 17 August 1905, Page 3

STATE COAL MINES.

THE BOARD OF INQUIRY.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, last night The Board of Inquiry set up by the Government to inquire into and report on matters connected with the Seddonville and Point . Elizabeth State coal mines commenced its Wellington sittings *°MrA L. Beattie, chief mechanical engineer on'the Government railways, said the Department’s experience with Point Elizabeth coal showed that the consumption was one-fouith more than soreened Brunner. For railway purposes lb was most desirable that the coal should be free from “ slack ” If they had screoned Point Elizabeth and screened Brunner, the consumption of the former would be 10 to U per cent, higher than the latter. He would like it to be placed on record that the quality and size of Point Elizabeth coal now being supplied was not nearly as good as it was six months ago. Seddonvnle coal would make a very satisfactory locomotive fuel if it could be procured. Alex. MaoDougal, manager and agent for the State mines in Wellington, was called to give information as to the chstritribution of coal, particularly in regard to that from the Point Elizabeth mine. The total output from Point Elizabeth from April Ist, 1704, to June 30th, 1905, was 112 614: tons. The demand for Point Elizabeth coal bad been greater than the suonlv ever since the mine was started. The Chairman: Weil, if that is so how is it that the mine is not working anything like full time ? Witness: I oannot say. All I can say is that the orders have been more then the wanted to know where the lino of demarcation came between the Coast management and the management at Wellington for sale and distribution of Witaags replied that he had sent orders and they had not been fulfilled. That was all he could say on the question of production. No disagreement bad taksn_plaoe between himself and Mr Bishop. He explained at length how ha despatched opders to Mr who was responsible tor

their fulfilment. Mr Green asked witness if he could say how many tons were in arrears on August 7th and Bth, and received a negative 16 Coutts: That is strango af t.er what Mr Bishop told us. The Chairman : Mr Bishop said the decreased demand for’coal was owing to the railways being overstocked. Mr Gceon commented on the fact that while Mr MacDougall said a delivery of about 2200 tons of coal was ,10 arreor of ordotß last week the men were practically

Evidence was given that retail dealers had been refused supplies of Stats coal on the ground .that it might be mixed with other coal. One witness, speaking on this subject, said it was a common thing to mix the different kinds of coal, and it waß only done on the request of customers. The Minister for Mines, however, seemed to think it was a criminal offence, like mixmg niorniDg tho prinoipal witness was aSS' aecretwy ». Wallet." Coal Dealers’ Association. Ho said l. had always been tho practice of.the dealers to sell mixed coni. The price of Coolbrookdale double screened was 36s per .ton cash, and of State coal 34s at the ships The State coal sold at 425. No coal dealers in Wellington in his time had made money out of coal. The access to private residences, the configuration of the city, and the high rents .assisted to make coal dearer in Wellington.