THE COAL QUESTION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 567, 17 September 1920, Page 2

THE COAL QUESTION.

BOROUGH DIFFICULTIES. Although the shortage of coal .has been felt by the' household consumer the acute shortage has not been greatly felt by the authorities at the iocal power-house until a few days ago, when it was found the sdpply of coal in the bunker would onlj hang out for a few days at leasi The position now is very acute, and unless supplies are obtained the town will be plunged into a state of darkness. The matter was mentioned at

Wednesday night's meeting of the Borough Council by Cr. G. H. Amii strong, chairman of the lighting coin* i mittee, who stated that they had po coal to keep going with. The portion was very acute, and the committee recommended that as far as possible they should curtail the vice. They had cut off the street* lights, and recommended that the el-:, ectric light be cut off at 10 p.m. This curtailment would mean extending the supply for a day or two at least. They had enough coal to last for five days, and with coal dust and wood could manage to keep the water supply going. If the coal shortage continued for some time they would pe in a perilous position. He stated there was a possibility of coal being obtained from the Bombay hills. He felt sure that they cpuld obtain coal foi" an emergency nature. A little skimming was required before coal could be obtained, and he suggested sending two or three men. out. He was confident they eouSd get a lorry load of coal in three days. The in- ( stallation of every unit of plant at the power-house meant the consumption of more coal, and he advocated obtaining the mining rights of about 10 or 15 acres of the coalfield for emergency purposes. The committee had been endeavouring for the last T2 months to get a stock of coal in to last for at least a month. Sooner than plunge the town into darkness he suggested councillors should go out to Bombay and get out the first I lorry load oj. coal. He had had mining expeiifille, and would act as foreman of the job. (Laughter.) Cr. Patterson: I *Will assist the j foreman with his job. (More laughI ter.) > Cr. Armstrong said he would supervise the job and take his coat off with the rest. It was not a laugh- ' ing-at proposition, but in the inferJ ests of the town they should do v I something. | Cr. Hamilton, moved that the lighting committee have power to obtain " J I the mining rights over the Bombay I coalfield.--Carried. | The Mayor revealed the fact that he thought the council could get a truck of coal for the power-house from a company which had a mine on the Waikato River beyond Huntly. The clerk was directed to ascertain if a supply could be obtained. Mr. Wyatt mentioned there may be a possibility of getting supplies from Hunua. The engineer was given a free hand to obtain supplies from whatever sourgea be could.