NEW ZEALAND COAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 March 1926, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND COAL.

SUITABLE FOR RAIAVAY USE. COMMISSION'S REPORT. WELLINGTON. March 18. The report of the Board of Inquiry into the use of New Zealand coal on Dominion railways says that tests have proved that quite a number of New Zealand coals are suitable for the purpose. New Zealand mines formerly supplied a much larger proportion of the c-oal used by the railways than they have done during the last fives years, and the coal so supplied did what was required of it. Conclusive evidence was given that New Zealand mines at present are unable to market the whole output, consequently in all districts most of the mines are working only

part time. Protracted trials were made under time-table conditions and in addition io using various coals alone cer-

tain mixtures were tried which were suggested in evidence and were thought by the board to be likely to give good results. The tests proved that quite a number of New Zealand coals were suitable for consumption on New Zealand railway locomotive engines, because :

(a) Tbe quality of the coals for steaming is excellent. (I>) Tbe use of certain Now Zealand coals would be more economical than tbe use of imported coals, bectui.se little if any more of such coals would be required than would be necessary if Nowcasted coal were used.

(e) Tbe cost of these classes of coal to tho Railway Department is generally sufficiently lower than of the imported article to outweigh any disadvantages which would lie attributable to domestic coal. With brown coals there is greater danger, especially during certain seasons of the year, if such coals are used under present existing conditions.

(cl) It is possible and likely the Railway Department would be able to obtain continuous and adequate supplies of New Zealand coal. The reason for saying this is that there is evidence that mining facilities in. nearly every coalfield are adequate for the production of much more c-oal that

now is being won, and the number ol miners engaged in the industry is greater than warranted by the present output. Tho large percentage of slack coal at present produced at the mines militates against the use of New Zealand coal oil the railways, and if

means could he devised by which a greater percentage of round coal would he produced, or if the slack rntfk lx' made suitable for use on tho railways, this would still further strengthen the position. It was found that the removal of material below a quarter of an inch from unscreened samples submitted greatly improved the result. (c) While tho hoard was of opinion that certain New Zealand coals could

he successfully and economically used for practically all railway purposes it was thought that the Railway Department should maintain in stock a. sup-

ply of coal sufficient to meet requirements for not less than three months. All c-oal deteriorated if kept in the open air, hot Newcastle coal deteriorated less than New Zealand coals, and was, therefore, most suitable for reserve stock. As Newcastle coal could not lie

kept indefinitely there must be some movement of stocks, which would mean a certain constant consumption of Newcastle coal. During the trials it was conclusively shown that favourable results could be obtained by the use of mixtures ot various New Zealand coals and that Now Zealand coals hv .themselves unsuitable, gave fair results when mixed. Further, mixtures of Newcastle coals with New Zealand coals gave excellent results. “We consider,” says tbe re-

port. “that- this is a promising avenue for investigation, which should be followed ot).” The hoard, however, points out. that the question of economy cannot. alone be considered. There is the effect on the personnel. Sulphurous coal in tunnels was most objectionable and pecuniary advantage might he very dearlv bought. NEED FOR FUEL ENTER 1 • After dealing briefly with the question of enlarged fireboxes, which is curing itself, and the danger from sparks, which is a matter tor locomotive engineers and other experts to undertake, the board's report proceeds‘‘'Hie whole question of coal supply for New Zealand railways is of such magnitude and complexity and the financial aspect is so important that we strongly recommend that this branch of railway management should be placed unde) control of a technical)- trained and qualified fuel engineer, who would 'ho responsible for the purchase and economic) use of all coal necessary, 'and we arc of opinion that if such an ohicci were instructed to use every endeavour to overcome any difficulties met in utilising New Zealand' coals it would he found within a very short time that, very little c-oal need be imported.

and great economy in the fuel Hill would" be effected. ‘ We further are of opinion that maximum economy in the use of coal cannot lie attained unless this recommendation is carried out. HOW DOMINION WOULD. benefit. The board savs that new locomotives can convenietnly Ik? designed to be used with New Zealand coal and adds that the advantages of New Zealand using New Zealand coal are undeniable. At the present time the balance of trade with Australia, is against us, and continual importation of large quantities of Australian coal will not improve the position. If no coal were imported it was not likely that more, men would he employed m the coal mining industry, but those already engaged would have less unemployment and would consequently have greater •spending power, which would tend to improve business, both State and private. in every direction. Ihe mines would he able to turn out extra coal with little or no additional incilities. Overhead expenses would be lessened, consequently the cost- of winning '*■ ‘coal might reasonably he expected to recede. Imported coal involved emplovment of loss labour in Nou land, because apart from the labour involved in winning it. it usually was delivered lo ports where it- was to he used. New Zealand coal, however, would he carried on rail, loaded m New Zealand on ships by New Zealand labour and transported and unloaded at the port of consumption Thus the utilisation of New Zealand coal in place of imported coal ‘would result in general improvement m the labour and financial situation. Moreover the use of New Zealand coal in nuinv cases would result in actual direct'saving to the railway management. Every centre must lie considered separately because the cost of transporting. storing, possibly mixing, and requirements of varied traffic all must he considered by the fuel engineer, whose appointment was recommended, in order that a proper solution of each phase of the problem would he obtained.