GOAL FOR THE NAVY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9122, 15 April 1908, Page 2

GOAL FOR THE NAVY.

DEPOT WANTED AT AUCKLAND. Press Association. Auckland April 14. The Marine Department forwarded a copy of a letter received from the Vice-Admiral in regard to establishing a depot for the of coal for the use of the Navy at Auckland. The letter states “I consider it to he certainly desirable that a depot with modern appliances for rapid coaling should be established at Auckland in which coal could be stored at any time of prospective need. In peace times the needs of the Navy at Auckland are not large and the reserve of 500 tons now kept by the Westport Coal Company is sufficient to meet the current demands of single ships while a collier can always be ordered to meet the squadron on its visits to New Zealand. The danger is that if any large amount of coal was stored there would not be sufficient turnover to ensure its being as good as under present conditions. At present the price of coal for H.M. ships at Auckland is higher than at Wellington or Lyttelton and therefore ships only coal there when necessary. The coaling appliances gaenrally in Australia are much behind the times and I am of opinion that modern appliances would he of great assistance to the rapid coaling of mercantile steamers and so make for economy in their working. ’ ’ The letter was referred to the Board in committee. Mr W. J. Napier said if modern appliances were adopted the cost of handling coal could be lessened 5s per ton. It was the Board’s duty to supply the requisite modern machinery.