The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1920. OHURA COAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1920. OHURA COAL.

It is quite likely that until the coal famine affected the people of Taranaki, they did not ade-| quately realise the extent to which they were dependent on circum-| stances for the supply of coal, That the price advanced considerably was accepted philosophically, but to be compelled to do without inflicted hardship and loss, as our main industry is largely dependent on coal. Yet, all this time, and for ages previously, there has existed in the Ohura district a practically illimitable coal field which requires no boring, but is easily accessible by making drives in the low hills. The coal is similar to that obtained at Taupiri and Huntly, and is very highly spoken of by a geologist who examined the field. Moreover, it is close to the route of the Strat-ford-Okahukura railway so that it could be railed cheaply to all parts of Taranaki when the line is completed up to the receiving point. Under these circumstances it is obvious that pressure should be brought on the Government to make special efforts in pushing forward this line with the utmost expedition, concentrating all the available resources of the Public Works Department thereon, especially as the result of the trials of the coal may prove satisfactory for steam purposes and so be an additional source of supply for ' railway work. It is necessary to state that the coal measures are on Government land, so there is 110 question of Mr. Meredith, and those associated with him in bringing this coal supply to the public notice, having any desire to exploit the coal on their own account. On the contrary, at their own expense they are submitting the coal to trial in order to convince the people of Taranaki, and the Government, of the nature and extent of this Ohura coalfield, and the part it is destined to play in the progress and prosperity of the province. Inasmuch as the whole of the output must be carried by the railway there is a direct incentive for expediting the construction of the line, which is assured of securing at once the best prospects of revenue that have ever awaited a new trunk line. If the coal proves equal to that of Taupiri and Huntly it will mean a very great deal to Taranaki. Every support should be given to the efforts now being made to open up and distribute this great boon. With ample coal supplies. Taranaki could and should become a busy industrial centre. It is the want of railway transport that' is delaying progress, and no stone should be left unturned in moving the Government to complete the line. The prospect of cheaper coal is certainly most welcome, and the Ohura settlers are deserving of praise for the action thev have taken in giving practical proof of the existence of a reliable. supply and furnishing a powerful lever for securing the completion of the railway.