COAL SHORTAGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1917, Page 3

COAL SHORTAGE.

Increased Tram Fares. WELLINGTON, May 18. The City Council was called upon at short notice last night to discuss a report supplied by the tramways man-, agor on the suggosted drastic reduction in lighting and tram services. This report was the outcome of a conference held between the Mayor and the Efficiency Board. The reason for the proposed curtailment is the shortage of coal. Since the 1913 strike the Council ha. 9 had difficulties about the coal supply, and has never been able to keep stocks. When the recent strike occurred the stocks amounted to three weeks’ ’supply, which was reduced during the strike to two weeks’ requirements. The Council now has only enough coal for two 'weeks, and has little prospect of getting enough to satisfy consumption needs. It is now proposed that the tram and lighting services be heavily curtailed. In order to discourage tram travelling penny fares are to be eliminated. and the minimum fare is to be twopence. The most striking reduction will be of current affecting picture shows dn the daytime. The Council is to consider the report at a special meeting on Monday.

Gas Coal Supply. WELLINGTON, May 18. The Wellington Gas Company announces that dt hay barely a fortnight’s supply of coal in hand. Owing to the shortage of stocks, it has been compelled to use its reserve supplies which have been lying on the ground for years, and give an inferior gas. It is hoped to shortly land a shipment sufficient to last for an additional ten or twelve days, but the position is very uncertain. Drowned in Well. Christchurch,. May 19 A boy named Esmond Anderson was accidentally drowned in an artesian well at Richmond.

Fire at Motueka. Nelson, May 19 Parson aod Coy’s fruit evaporation works (G. Budden owner) and Thompson and Hills frait pulping works at Motueka,-were destroyed by fire yesterday evening. The fire etirted in the evaporating works acd spread to the adjoining factory. Budden’s insurance was £BOO on plant and building. The stock, valued at £SOO was uninsured. Thompson and Hill’s plant and building is valued at £I,OOO but the insurances are unknown loca'ly.

Obituary. Auckland, May 21 Rev George W. J. Spence, a retired Methodist Minister ia dead. Wheat and CoalAuckland, May 18 The Hon A. M. Myers stated that arrangements were to be made with two shipping companies to convey wheat from Australia to New Zoaland and to carry thirty thousand, tons of coal from Newcastle to New Zealand every month. New Blackwater Shaft Reefton, May 20 Ziman’s Syndicate (North Blackwater) which ia engaged in sinking a deep main shaft to open out the Blackwater reef has just reached a depth of 1000 feet. This is the largest shaft in the Reefton field. The first contract was let m February, 1916, A small parallel reef showing gold was cut by the shaft unexpectedly at 970 feet. A Slander Charge Cheistchukch, May 21 At the Supreme Court, Robert McElhinney, a sheep farmer, of Ashburton, sued Alfred J. Ksitb, a Bheep dealer, of Ashburton, for £5Ol damages for alleged slander. The olaim was founded on an alleged atatemeut by the defendant ir a hotel at Waimate that plaintiff si ole a sheep out of the public asleyards. The case ia proceeding.