THE COAL SHORTAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1919, Page 4

THE COAL SHORTAGE.

OUTPUT OP NEW ZEALAND MINES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In view of the facts in the statement •bowing the coal in sight from oversea* recently made by the Minister in charge of coal control, a press representative made inquiries of the Minister as to the output of the New Zealand mines. Mr. Myers stated that his Department obtains monthly particulars of the output from the principal mines. The figures now to hand show the output from these mines for July last was 138,240 tons, the output from the same mines for July, 1918, being 180,1188, so there was a decrease in production from the collieries referred to of 41,878 tons. The importations for last month totalled 31,715 tons, as against 24,727 tons for July, 1018. The decrease of 0088 tons in the importations snakes the net reduction in supplies from both Bources for July, 1910, 34,890 tons. The output from the principal West Coast mines was 78,231 tons last month, as against 03,537 tons for July, 1918. .This represents a reduced output of hard coal when compared with Julv, 1918, of 15,300 tons.

Asked as to the quantity of coal actually received by the Hailivay Department .during July, Mr. Myera stated that the iigures to hand show this as 18,089 tons, which includes brown coal and lignite from Taupiri and other mines.