COAL VIA FOXTON PORT

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2339, 8 October 1921, Page 3

COAL VIA FOXTON PORT

A MINISTERIAL REPLY,

Some time since, the local Chamber of Commerce advocated coal being shipped for the railways via Foxton. Mr Ed. Newman, M.P., encloses a letter received in reply from the Acting-Minister for Railways on the subject. Mr Newman says: —

“I beg to enclose a letter which I have received from the Hon. Mr Guthrie, Minister for Railways, with reference to the conveyance of coal [o Foxton. I regret that it is not possible, apparently, for the Government to import what coal is required for Foxton at present. I shall keep the matter beforeme, and will see that the Minister is reminded of the promise contained in the latter part of his letter.” The following is the Minister’s letter: —

“With further reference to your letter of 30th ultimo, forwarding a cutting from the Foxtail Herald, 'regarding the conveyance 0 j; coa i for vise at Foxton, I have the honour to inform you that the quantity of coal obtained from the West Coast mines by the Railway Department for use on the North Island Main Line and Branches at the present time is very limited. In the circumstances it is regretted that the Deparment is not in a position to assist the Harbour Board by landing coal at Foxton. Should, however, the position regarding the supplies change in the near future, and suitable shipping space can be secured, the matter will be again carefully considered.”