STATE COAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8392, 11 April 1907, Page 5

STATE COAL.

(To the Editor). Sir, —I wish to congratulate Mr upon the persistence that he is displaying in connection with securing a supply of State coal for Masterton. The Borough Council should take the matter up, and I wonder that Mr A. W. Hogg has not taken an active part in the movement. The winter season is now almost upon us, and we know by experience how bitter a Wairarapa winter can sometimes be, and the question of fuel becomes a serious one with many families, indeed. Sir, it is not going too far to say a few pence in the case of some families, even in Masterton, is a matter for serious consideration. Why do the Borough Council beg the question as they are doing? They know, or should know, all about the prices, and I believe Mr Mackay can give the Council the information they are going to try and find out! Why, Sir, the information could be obtained at any time in the course of a few hours. Are the Borough Council serious, or are they, simply humbugging the whole thing? Cr Eton tried to pour cold water on the movei ment at the meeting on Tuesday night, but his opinion does not carry much weight, anyhow. However, let me tell Cr>Eton that, even if the site cost the Borough a few hundred pounds, they should undertake the distribution of State coal on behalf of those who need it, and for whose benefit the Act was primarily passed. The State coal is here in the country, and there should be a depot at Masterton. Cr Eton is, perhaps, good at figures—well, let him then figure out what the extra cost per ton in the next fifty years would be even if the site cost .-£SOO, but, I believe, a most inexpensive site could be obtained. Cr Eton should know this, too. I feel sure that Mr Mackay will continue the good work he has undertaken until he brings it to a successful issue, and will thu? earn the thanks and praise of many in the community. —I am, etc., INTERESTED HOUSEHOLDER. Cole Str<-2t, Masterton, April 10th, 190 .