COAL SUPPLIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 May 1919, Page 5

COAL SUPPLIES.

FOR TARANAKI DAIRY COMPANIES. In connection with the statement published in the News last week and telegraphed from Palmerston North, to the effect that Taranaki dairy factories had acquirtd an interest in Hie Puponga coal mines, and had arranged to take 200,000 tons of coal annually, /thus assuring a supply for the dairying industry, a representative of thl Daily Netvs interviewed Mr. W. D. Powdrell, chairman of the Kaupokonui Dairy Company, which is the largest concern of its nature m Taranaki, and, being a progressive concern, was likely to be one of those most interested in such a venture. :

Mr. Powdrell.stated that he. had read* the statement with some surprise. As far as he knew, none of the TaranaM dairy companies had acquired an interest in the Puponga mine. A proposition had been put to.him to secure an interest in another .mine in that locality on behalf of- the Kaupokoiiui Dairy Company and the Patea Farmers' Freezing Company, of which ho was also chairman. Recognising the importance of having an assured supply of coal, he realised the advantages such a proposition -would have, particularly as the Patea company had the boats available to carry the coa.l; in fact, they were now going to Puponga for coal. He had mentioned the matter to the ehainnen of two or three otlier large Taranaki factories, but, so far, nothing had been done in the -matter. He.had:not yet been s.ble to visit the site, and certainly would do nothihg until lie had viewed the site, ascertained the coal available, depth of water, etc. The fact that the matter was first mentioned to him when on a visit to Palmerston North may, possibly, have been responsible for the origin of the report,

Mr. Powdrell said that it would certainly pay Taranaki dairy factories to consider the matter, as the importance of having an assured supply of coal could not be over estimated, particularly in view of the fact that the establishthe dried milk and sugar of milk industries would necessitate the use of large quantities of fuel. Factories now using wood would soon be compelled touse coal also, as the supply of wood was diminishing fast. In the slack sea,son at the works tho Patea boats could ,run supplies of coal to 'Patea for the South Taranaki factories, and possibly JP'New Plymouth for North Tmcakij.