HOW TO OBTAIN CHEAP COAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10288, 24 May 1919, Page 8

HOW TO OBTAIN CHEAP COAL

(To the Editor ‘‘N.Z. Times.”) Sir,—.Now that the Acting-Prime Minister has stated tnere is iureiy to be a serious shortage of coai this winter, . 1 take this opportune moment 'to intorm your readers how suen uihieuities ■ may in the future be easily overcome. That is, if ne are to be a sea-contained nation, and develop these vast resources of coal and timber wnßrh he on the route of the vvestport-Inangauua railway, commencing about 18 macs from Westport and extending' to Reef ton, and wnich await tne completion of this muchneglected thougn very important lino. This line was started some years ago, and the formation was completed, to a point some 12 miles from Westport. Since the advent of the Reform Party to power, it lies practically abandoned after costing the country some thousands of pounds. , Had it been extended about seven miles further it would, have been brought to a paying point., and would have opened up one of the finest brown coal deposits in this Dominion, thus enabling the people to be supplied, with a very superior household coal at from 20s to 22s 6d per ton, or less, saving them some thousands of pounds annually.

Compare this with present prices ana with the further ri6e m price of coal at Newcastle. The outlook for the future is, indeed, none too promising. So, people of Wellington, it remains for you to see in your own interests that this coal is opened up with as little delay as possible, and not for your benefit only,, but in the interests of this Dominion'as. a. whole. I might' further state that the people of this district appreciate very much the sentiments of Mr Hornsby. Mr Luke, and others.

C. D. BEITS. Westport, May 18th. 1919.