THE COAL SUPPLY.—WHARF ACCOMMODATION.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1848, 3 September 1874, Page 3

THE COAL SUPPLY.—WHARF ACCOMMODATION.

A meeting of persons interested in the question of coal supply was held last evening at the Governor Boweu Hotel. Mr W. Eowe was called to tlio chair, and Mr F. F. Day was requested to act as secretary. Tlio Chairman said the principal question was that of wharf accommodation, which was urgently required, but the subject was a difficult one at present. The Provincial Government had expressed a determination to do nothing towards harbour works until the foreshore was handed over to them, and that was not likoly to take place now. Perhaps, had the forschore been handed over to the province, those works which woro now required would have been carried out, but it might be in the end that it would be better for them that the foreshore was not handed over to the province. No doubt some of tlio gentlemen who had convened the meeting would give them their views.

Mr Mastebs said he was oue of those who convened the meeting. His reason was (hat the dearth of coal was so great that they had all suffered, and woro likely to suffer more from it in future. In the past they had great difficulty and expense in procuring supplies, and had it not- been for the kindly feeling which existed between the several machine would hare been shut up. He found great owners and managers several machines loudness in obtaining timely supplies from other machine proprietors, and he returned it. From appearances they were likely to bo brought to a dead stand for want of coal. The larger vessels were withdrawn from the trade on account of the silting up of the wharf, and it would take some time to get thera hack even if they got the wharf extended. '1 hey were in this position, that except their accommodation was extended most of the batteries must stop. He would suggest for the discussion of the meeting the best steps for obtaining an immediato extension of wharf accommodation. The discussion would, no doubt, result in some feasible schcme, but ho would suggest that a committee should be appointed to confer with gentlemen in Auckland who were largely interested in the goldfiekl to seek their co-operation and assistance, and with the pressure thus brought to bear they might get an extension of accommodation. He had not given the matter sufficient study himself, tic knew nothing of the politics of the country; in fact until very lately lie did not know the difference between the General and Provincial Governments, but he would be pleased to forward the views of the meeting in any way which they might agree to.

Mr Sims said it was quite evident that something should .be done. With the exception of the Caledonian, not a battery on the field had 30 tons of coal, and to show their state a vessel came in last week with 70 tons, which had to be divided amongst five companies. The sole reason of this scarcity was want of wharf accommodation. There was plenty of coal of good quality at .the Bay of Islands. The Coal Company had gono to considerable expense lately, and had in every respect made provision for a full supply of coal of the best quality, and Iho only reason why they were not supplied was because there was a want of wharf accommodation. Vessels carrying 50 tons have to lay hundreds of feet off the wharf. There was an absolute necessity that something should bo doiio, or the machines would all come to a dead stand. In his opinion what was required was the extension of the goods wharf, 'i he way to get that done he did not know, but he dared say some course would be suggested. To import a little politics into the matter, he thought this was strong evidence why Provincial Governments should bo dono away with, so that they might have some place to appeal directly to, for now they scarcely knew whore to appeal. Mr. Buodie said they all recognised the want of better accommodation which existed, and the imperative necessity that something should be dono to supply it. Their course should be, as suggested by Mr. Masters, to appoint a committee to confer with the gentlemen of Auckland who were largely interested.

The Chairman said that he did not think anything would be done except they themselves adopted strong measures If they waited for the report of the engineer for carrying out the lurgo scheme of harbour works, it wonld take yours, and they could not wait. Those interested should agree on the best means of supplying their present wants, as they could not go into a large scheme, and the best plan, in hi* opinion, would be the extension of the goods wharf, which could be done at no very great cost. It was pitiable to bavo to see vessels lying off 400 or 500 feet from the wharf and having to discharge coal. In the present transition stale of affairs between the Provincial and General Governments, if they wanted their affairs attended to they must do it themselves. The Provincial Government, feeling themselves in a doubtful position, will not, if they arc wise, involve themselves, but it they wero determined they would no doubt get what they required. Captain Soum said that he observed a discussion in tho General Assembly about expending £300,000 in harbour works in Taranaki, where there was no harbour at all. In one month the exports and imports of the Thames was as much as those of Taranaki in 12 months. When they saw a vessel of 50 tons unable to got away from the wharf after she was discharged, they had reason to complain, and they paid half as much again for freight of coals to the Thames as they did to Auckland, although the distance was tho same. Thero would bo no necessity for that if they had proper wharf accommodation. Ho did not know that there was any use in going to the Superintendent. 'J hey had been to him before, and it would be for the meeting to consider whether it would not bo better to np])ly to tho Minister of Works. £2,500 would extend tho goods wharf so that it would serve for tho next five years, and by that time tho Government might spend a couple of hundred . thousand pounds in harbour works hero Ho did not see why they should not when the Thames contributes so largely to tho revenue of the colony.

, Mr Bbodie moved that a committee consisting of Messrs Eowe, Masters, Souter, Errington, Hcnnai),J and tlio mover be appointed a committee to go to Auckland and confer with Mr Jtiussell and other gentlemen interested in the goldfields, and talco action according to the decision they may arrive at. Mr Wiciciuji seconded the motion, which was carried.

Some further discussion ensued as to the bpst method oi extending tlio goods wharf to mako it suitable lor p'resont requirements, and after a volo of thanks to the Chairman the moeling terminated.