THE COAL SHORTAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1919, Page 4

THE COAL SHORTAGE.

WELLINGTON'S PLIGHT, By Telegraph,—Press Association. Wellington, June 25. The Gaß Company announces thsjt it may have temporarily to cease the Bupply of gas after this evening owing to the depletion of coal stocks. , The suddenness of the notice U due to the non-arrival of a cargo of coal, vessels being presumably delayed by bad weather on the West Coast. ,

The company states that by 5 p.m. to-day every ounce of coal in its worVy will have been used.

Wellington, Last Night. Owing to the great scarcity of cool, the Mayor gave instructions this morning for immediate s,teps to economise.th* current and tramway services and for the extinction of all superfluous electric lighting in the city. ' To-night the municipal services have only a small reserve of opal, and have been sailing very close .to the wind for some time past. The Mayor says relief is not expected until early next week under- the xnoit favorable circumstances.

THE POSITION SAVED . v . TEMPORARILY* "

Wellington, Last N%ht. ■ As the gas company had reached the* end of its Btock of coal to-day, it was feared that the gas supply migh,t have to be cut off this evening, but the Palmerston North Gas Department forwarded a day's supply and staved off the threatened stoppage. When the Mayor heard of the gas company's shortage he ordered the immediate curtailment of both tr*nj« way and lighting services. ,

A COAL SAVING MEASURE, !. Wellington, Last Night. The Minister for Internal Affairs hia announced that, as a coal saving measure, the Government has determined that ill all departments under the control of the Public Service Commissioner all wet New Zealand ,the hours for employee! should be 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 pjn., With ft break for lunch between 12.30 end 1.30,

EXTENSION OF TRANSIT • FACILITIES. Westport, Last Night The Hon. Guthrie arrived to-day, and was shown over parts of the district. At the Town Hall to-night the Minister received numerous deputations, the.chj'-jf one stressing the urgent need for the completion of the Buller Gorge Railway, and pointing out that, owing, to tba.au* with which coal could be produced, H could be put on the market for 10» to 12» per ton cheaper than other coal now on the market. One member, of Jthe deputation urged that the Minister for Munitions be asked to consider the question of solidising the miners with a view to getting increased output from the mines rather than send money out of New Zealand for coal admitted' to be inferior to that mined in New Zealand.