OVERSEAS COAL SUPPLIES.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 July 1919, Page 6

OVERSEAS COAL SUPPLIES.

er»; --°—— ;.;;._, ‘ 'GRA’I‘IFY‘ING~ NEWS. inn.-«-' . WELLINGTON, July 28. 1 1 In a. recent statement to -the Hon. Mr Myers mentioned that the amount of coal in sight from overseas during the next six weeks was seventy thousand tons_ The Minister is now‘ able to say that- supplies ‘from these‘ sources have beenaugmented by further shipments from both Newcastle and Newport News (America) to the -extent of about twenty thousand tons. While this is gratifying the Minister pointed out the proposed‘ shipment of 16500 tons by the Waitomo. of which 4000 tons were for the Ralway Department, was included in the 70,000 tons mentioned. The Waitomo, however, was unable to bring this cargo as intended,’ as the vessel was laid 113;: at ‘Dunedin owing to the crew refusing to go to Australia in her. Adrvantage is being itaken 0 this spell to have the vessel surveyed. The coal carrier Ngakuta is also a vessel which, for a, similar reason, is unable to be used between Newcastle and :ZNew Zealand, and she is therefore be- l ting‘ used on the West Coast run. Mr‘ Myers further stated that arrangements had been made with the Commonwealth and Dominion Line to turnliad 1000 tons from the Port Victor, which the vessel had available, but unfortunately owing to the watersid'ers not working on Friday last only a portion of this coal would be taken off. Some 250 tons were unloaded on Sunday and arrangements were made for the vessel to be worked up to 10 Qto-night, but unfortunately" the inclemency of the weather had prevented this being done. If the Port Victor ‘sails at daylight. on Wednesday, which is the present intention she will be compelled to take about 400 tons of coal with her, which in the circulnstances, it was impossible to unload. l l.‘§£?' —___.—.—__’ I