BROWN COAL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1930, Page 7

BROWN COAL

YALLOWIN DEPOSITS

SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY.

Mr M. Gallic tramways manager and engineer, who has been .in Australia investigating the claims made on behalf of a new system of electrical water heating, returned to Wellington by the Maunganui on .Monday. He too the opportunity to inspect many of the big works is progress in Australia and gathered much information 'n '.be course of his• perigri nations. He stated that he was particularly impressed with the Victorian scheme of electricity and briquette, (from soft coal) production at Yallowin, some 90 miles ifrom Melbourne, which is under control of the State Electricity Comm’ssion. The district formation was unique, as it was largely composed of poor quality brown coal lying on the surface, and which could be worked, with scoops and dredges. The quanf’ty was unlimited, and owing to the low cost of reclamation it could be utilised to great dimensions of the deposits that it was estimated that the field could be worked for the next 400 years. It was said that the power that would he obtained from the Yallowin olnnts would render Victoria* inde'mudent of outside coal supplies for that purpose. The briquette side of + he business was' increasing rapidly, as ’t. was hnndv fuel for many purposes, including the firing of locomotives.

TRANSPORT PROBLEMS

As in most other cities the transport situation in Sydney was interesting, commented M.r Cable. The railway and tramway systems of New South V ales were Government-owned, but both were feeling the effect of bus competition, which for the most part was controlled by private enterprise. In view of this state of affairs there was a 'proposal to include all services in a transport trust, and naturally'., certain interests affected,were making, a great fight ,of it. -

In Sydney the buses appeared to he ■'.very ■ popular with the public,/.but it was doubtful if Wellington' people would ■ submit to the marked overcrowding which took placed Most of the buses he had seen were of f a good class, Y many being of the' doubledecked type. A great deal/' of relief from the existing congestion.' \yould be afforded.'by tlie completion of tlie great harbour .bridge from Milson’s-Point to North . -.Shore, .and the underground railway system.

Mr. Cable mentioned .that the Kingsford Smith-Ulm air service between Sydney and. Brisbane was well established, and so regular were the flights that it was said that people set.their watches by the machines. This service reduced a 24-hour rail journey to four hours. He wanted very much to do the trip, but on inquiry found that there was not a seat available for days ahead, so had to abandon the idea.