IMPROVED COALING FACILITIES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 99, 15 April 1908, Page 2

IMPROVED COALING FACILITIES

Per Press Association. Auckland, last Night, Hie Marine Department forwarded a copy of a letter received from th e ViceAdtmral in regard to establishing a depot for the storage of coal for the use of the navy at Auckland. The letter states: -I consider it t 0 be certainly desirable that a depot with more rapid 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 no: large ami the reserve of iiOO tons now kept by the Westport Coal Company is sufficient to meet the current demands of single ships, while a collier can ahvavs 1,» ordered to meet the squadron on itvisits to New Zealand. The danger is that if any large amount of coal" was stored there would not bo 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 coaliii" appliances generally in Australasia" are much behind the times, and I am of opinion that modern appliances would be- ol great assistance to the rapid coaling ol mercantile steamers, and so make for economy in (heir workino." The letter Has referred to I lie .Jt, lar ,| in committee. Mr. W. .1. Napier said if modern appliances were adopted the cost of l ';'"'" i " K ' wild be lessened 5s per ton. It was iiu . ( ,„, v U) supply the rcipii.-itc modern machinery.