THE COAL ENQUIRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1925, Page 1

THE COAL ENQUIRY.

WES'iI’ORT EVIDENT!-

WESTPORT, Fob. 4. I lie Coat Commission heard evidence at the Courthouse this morning. the Hon. \Y. H. .Mclntyre stated that lie had thirty three years' experii lice in tile mines. The miners were glad the commission had come to Westport. The miners here owned their own homes, and thereby had a large linn,mini interest in the coal industry. If the present depression continued the miners would lose all, as property would he unsaleable. 'J he miners had only four days seven hours pay during last fortnight. ‘Tlfe toal industry was passing through a, period of depression, and unless the State was prepared to foster the industry more than at present, the depression would become permanent. The industry was being atlected hv hydro-electric schemes through the loss of consumption of slack coal. The Olira tunnel had reduced title Duller coal trade, and Newcastle imports knocked the local coal trade into a, cocked hat. If the New Zealand coal was harder for the i ailway firemen they should apply for more pay. It wa.s ridiculous sending large sums of money away. It was not love for any other country. He advocated a, trial of powdered coal, which lie believed would tie a success. There was no difficulty in the disposal of screened coal.

Mr .Mclntyre did not wish the Commission to recommend the purchase o! screened coal only. Ihe new explosives caused more slack. With calc a o 0 per cent increase of screened coal could he produced. dames Curtis, manager ul the Harbour. produced figures showing the coal exported since 1903. The population of West port ha d decreased by one thousand in ten years, which was due to the fifty thousand tons reduction in the coal output.

the coal output. H the Ciiveniineiil took an idle rest Westport would ho prosperous. The coal was principals the Clown’s. William FT a veil. manager n! id"’ 'Westport Coal Company, gave a written statement, review ing Ihe whole position, lie strongly advocated ii) • us.' of New Zealand coal on the radvavs. His company could supply e;) thousand ions ol screened and one hundred and liftv thousand Lons ul hiiserec'iied annually. If the railway only took .screened it would not help toe position. The company was prepared to assist. with the production of more screened or suitable coal. He was aware that less orders were going to Neweastle than to Nv Zealand. It was not. practicable to screen coal at Wellington. Couldn’t supply all the screened coal ordered in the winter months. The Railway Coal Inquiry Board sat at Westport hearing evidence, and concluded at 4230 in the afternoon. Three witnesses (engine drivers and firemen of experience) gave evidence to the effect that better results are obtained at Westport with the use of special unscreened \\ estport coal than on the North Island railways, where Newcastle coal is used. Evidence was given ol the loss generally sustained to the' Dominion through miners and others being londorod idle or hsing time through slackness iii the coal demand, due to on:.

importation. The Beard assembles later ill Otago to bear ITirLtiev evidence.