MEW MACHINES FOR STATE MINES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 130, 23 August 1927, Page 16

MEW MACHINES FOR STATE MINES

COAL-CUTTERS ORDERED ELECTRIFICATION PLANNED (From Our Resident Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Monday. Increased output of coal, and greater wages for the men, are expected by the Mines Department as the result of the introduction of two new machines, which have been ordered for the James mine, on the West Coast of the South Island—an arc coalcutting machine, and an electric boring machine. Each machine has cost over £I,OOO, and although about four months will elapse before delivery takes place, the results of this class of appliance in other mines leads the department to anticipate healthy returns. Bigger coal will result from this process of extraction, and the commodity consequently will realise a greater price, as well as returning a greater percentage of screened coal to slack, while the safety of the men will be more assured. The complete electrification of the James mine with power from the Grey Power Board is also in contemplation by the Government. Several other companies are believed to have under consideration the installation of arc cutters and electric boring machines, the results in the Waikato having justified their introduc-

Auckland West committee forming for Hotel Auckland, apply L. Clark, 2 St. Kevin’s Arcade, Karangahape Road. (j