The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1920. MUNICIPAL COAL SHORTAGE.

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

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons. Motto: Public service. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1920. MUNICIPAL COAL SHORTAGE.

The municipality of Pukekohe is extremely short of coal, and if supplies are not quickly forthcoming the town will be plunged in darkness, save for such emergency lights as may be provided by kerosene and candles. Worse still, the water service may fail. The waterworks and electrical engineer has done very well indeed to keep going at full pressure for so long, especially in view of the fact that Auckland and Wellington cities have had to slow down, but as there has been little chance during the past year of securing 'sufficient coal to form a substantial reserve the present predicament was bound to arise. It is reassuring to | note that the council is fully alive to the seriousness of the position,, and is taking steps to try and re- 1 plenish the supply, even with coal of lower calorific value than has been used hitherto. If the Bombay coalfield can be developed sufficiently to meet emergencies the council will be fully justified in going to considerable expenditure in that direction. Furthermore, should the municipality be able to- obtain, from any source whatsoever, more coal than is required at the power-house, the surplus would be a boon to scores of residents who are unable to obtain from the local merchants sufficient fuel, of good, bad, or indifferent quality, for household purposes. The alert attitude of the council in regard to the emergency will commend itself to the community, who will recognise that any effort or expenditure within reason jvill be justified if the failure of electric current for lighting and power purposes is thereby avoided, to say nothing of the terrible prospect |of there being insufficient fuel to I keep the pumping station going.