LOCAL COAL SUPPLIES

Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1920, Page 2

LOCAL COAL SUPPLIES

ACTION BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

At the lagf meeting of tlie AVestlaud Chamber of Commerce, .attention was drawn to the difficulty local residents had in securing coal for domestic purposes, the dealers finding great difficulty in procuring supplies. As a result a communication was addressed to the Board of Trade, AVeilington, and the following reply lias now been received from the Coal Control Department : !

“Your letter of 4th inst. addressed to Secretary, Board of Trade, has been reforred to this Department for action. “AVith regard to tho shortage of Reefton coal for domestic use in Hokitika. I have to advise you that the matter lias been taken up with Mr James Leitch, Greymouth, who acts as distributor for most of the Reefton mines, and he has been requested to go into the matter with a view to providing coal for dealers’ requirements in your town. I rniglit state tjjafc the AVest Coast does not at present come, under the Coal Trade Regulations and there are no restrictions of any kind imposed on dealers on consumers, so that the shortage referred to in your letter under reply is not the result- of any retrospective measures so far as the Coal Control Department is concerned. “It is hoped that the representations made to Mr Leitch will remove any cause for complaint in respect to future supplies, and I would suggest that you, also, communicate with him in the matter.” From the foregoing it will be seen if the local dealers are not receiving ade- j quate supplies promptly they should J make their complaints through Mr j Jnmse Leitch of Greymoutfc, who has the authority to adjust matters. Should any, further difficulties arise, if the dealers explain same to the officers of the Chamber of Commerce, steps will be taken to have matters as promptly as possible. The action by tb« local Chamber in this matter should he greatly appreciated by householders.