GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1915, Page 6

GENERAL TELEGRAMS.

THE COAL INDUSTRY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Yesterday. A deputation representing the coalmining companies of Auckland province, interviewed Mr. Waite, commercial agent for the New Zealand Railways, and urged that an additional ten per cent, freight meant a serious blow to the coalmining industry, unless a corresponding imposition was placed on coal imported from Newcastle. Each year, New Zealand imported from Newcastle 450,000 lons of coal, worth about half a million pounds, though we were able to produce in this country coal just as good, and the Westport coal was the best in the world. The cost of production had gone up considerably, and there was ft clamour from some of the Federation people for a twenty per cent, rise in wages. New Zealand companies on August 7, 1914, had decided not to inci ease the price of coal during war time. Mr. Waite promised to bring the views of the deputation before the General Manager of Railways immediately on his return to Wellington.

FISHING PARTY MISSING. Auckland, Yesterday. A party consisting of Constables M. Fleming, J. Mclntyre, A. E. Maguire, A. S. Wilson, J. Trotter, and A. K. Hamilton left the port on Sunday morning in a 3;"-foot launch, intending to figh iv'hereevfcr they found sport good enough, and return in the evening. Owing to their non-return a couple of launches, chartered by their comrades, have set out in search. It is supposed that a high wind compelled the uarty to take shelter under one of the islands in the gulf,

(PATRIOTIC GAMBLES. Auckland, Last Night. The announcement that the Auckland Patriotic Association Carnival Committee will have recourse to art unions and prize drawings, as one of the many meatiß by which money will be raised in connection with the forthcoming Queen Carnival, has evoked widespread interest, and not a little criticism. In some quarters, the proposal is loudly condemned, and in others it is applauded. The Bishop of Auckland has invited the clergy of the diocese to confer with the Auckland Ministers' Association and other representations of the nonAnglican Churches as to what course of action sliall be taken by the churches in regard to the carnival. The meeting will take place to-morrow morning.