COAL OUTLOOK.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 30 July 1919, Page 3

COAL OUTLOOK.

| MORE SUPPLIES IN SIGHT. In a recent statement, the Hon, A. M. Myers mentioned the amount of coal in sight from overseas during the next six weeks was 70,000 tons. The Minister now is able to say that supplies from these sources have been augmented by further shipments from both Newcastle and Newport News, America, to the extent of about 20,000 tons. While this is gratifying, the Minister has pointed out thai the proposed shipment of 0500 tons by the Waitomo, of which -JOOt) tons were for the Railway Department, was included in the 70,000 tons mentioned. Tho Waitomo. however, was unable to bring this cargo as intended, as the vessel has been laid up at Dunedin, owing to the crew refusing to go to Australia in her. Advantage is being taken of this spell to have the vessel surveyed. The coal carrier Xgakuta is also a vessel which, for .similar reasons, is unable to be used between Newcastle and New Zealand, and she is therefore being used on one of the West Coast vims. Mr -Myers further stated that arrangements had been made with the Commonwealth and Dominion Line to unload 1000 tons from the Port Victor, which vessel had Jiecn made available, but unfortunately, owing to the watersiders not I working on Friday last, only a portion of the coal would be taken off. Some.. 250 tons were unloaded on arrangements were being made for the vessel to lie worked up to 10 to-night. but unfortunately the' ineleinoney of the weather had prevented this being done. If the Port Victor sails at daylight on Wednesday, which is her present intention, she will be compelled to take about too tons 0 f t oal with her. which in the circumstances it was impossible to unload.