COAL TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1923, Page 2

COAL TROUBLE.

CO-OP. MINES HARVEST. NKAVS FROM AYESTPORT. [by TELEGRAPH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION.] AYESTPORT. Sep. 14. In consequence of the decision of tho mining companies, all the mines in this district, except those working on cooperative lines at Mokihinui and Seddonville, are closed down. The horses are taken out of the mines, and the tramways are being stripped of their loads.

Opinions vary ns to the probable length of the stoppage. Sonic hold that the miners will he hack in a tortnight, and others that it will be a protracted struggle. Meantime, as the co-operative parties are not affected, they should reap a golden harvest. There is also a keen demand for Puller Gorge coal. hut this is obtainable only by motor lory, or other conveyance of the kind, and can reach the markets only in limited quantities.. Following the dosing of the.mines, the Harbour Authority is granting annual leave to its men, to whom such leave is due. and it is understood the Railway Department are taking advantage of the slackness ol the servico to do likewise. AVhether there will he drastic reductions. depends on the period the mines are idle. AYELLINGTOX coal supply. AY ELLINGTON, Sep. 11. The local coal stocks appear to be sufficient, generally, to see the duet public services through well enough for some weeks. The Gas Company, which relics chiefly on State Coal, does not anticipate any difficulty if the trounle does not spread any further than at present, and. in any case, it has filllficient coal on hand to maintain a full service for some time .

The City Council's stocks for power and lighting are described as sufficient to cari'v on for a month at least. Tho merchants’ stocks of household coal, however, appear to ho pretty low and one leading dealer said m answer to an inquiry this afternoon, that there was probablv not a week’s supply ni the Cit v yards. No AVestport com had come to hand during last week, and verv little the week previously, tuougli there was n fair amount of Newcastle coal'available. If there was going to be a had pinch, then the household supplies might have to he restricted, since the public services would necessarily come first. ■ - , . Asked whether he considered that the importation of Newcastle coal would be sufficient to make up for aiu loss of coal from the Coast, he pointed out that the AA’estport Coal Company alone could turn out from 8,000 to Si tons per week when all was going well and normally. . - “If the Newcastle coal coining in. squares things up," he said. . it, at liiy rate, won’t leave any margin.