NEW ZEALAND COAL COMPANY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1439, 12 March 1873, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND COAL COMPANY.

Messrs W. W. Johnston, J. Dransfield, and C. O'Neill, as a deputation from the New Zealand Coal Company, waited upon the Premier on the 24th ult., for the purpose of ascertaining upon what conditions the Government, if it were in their power to do so, would be prepared to give a subsidy for the encouragement of a line of steam screw colliers to be engaged in the trade between Wellington and the West Coast. The results of the interview have already been telegraphed. The following further particulars are given in the Independent :— The deputation stated that as it had been understood that the Government was in a position to give such a subsidy they desired to know definitely whether such was the case ; and if so what would be the amount of th« subsidy and under what conditions it would be granted. The Premier said it was quite true that the Executive, under a slight misapprehension of the Public Works Act, had intimated their intention to subsidise a line of colliers, but subsequent inquiry had established the fact that the moneys available for the development of the coal fields of the colony could only be applied in the shape of subsidies to mining operations in actual progress or in the furtherance of prospecting operations for the discovery of new coal fields. Some conversation ensued as to the desirability of the Government encouraging the development of the coal fields, during which the Premier, on behalf of the Government, stated that he wished it be understood that they were extremely anxious to forward any proposals having that object, and that although they had no authority to offer monetary assistance towards the maintenance of a line of steam colliers, he had no doubt that any proposition of the kind which might be presented to Parliament would meet with the full support of the Government. Some further discussion took place with regard to the supposed difficulties standing in the way of the leasing of the Brunner Coal mine, and the Premier stated that as the Government had no control whatever over this estate he could render the Company no assistance]^ the matter. The deputation retired with the assurance of the Premier that the Government would do everything in their power to encourage the development of the coal fields of the colony.