WAIKATO COAL

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19885, 14 May 1936, Page 12

WAIKATO COAL

\TALI’IRI COMPANY’S YEAR. 1 ! REVIEW BY CHAIRMAN. ! I CONSERVATION OF SLACK. ___..— AL‘CKLAND, Thursday. “ The developments at the Rotowaro mine during the year have been most satisfactory, the output of coal has been well maintained, and coal or excellent quality is still being produced," stated the lion. E. \V. Alison, chair—man of directors, at the annual meet.ing of Taupiri Coal Mines Ltd., yesterday. The mine superintendent re—ports that the mine workings, both underground and ml the surface, are in splendid condition and that all mach—inery illltl plant has been maintained in tirsl—cluss order. " During the war considerable quan—titirs ol' good, uscuhlo slack coal have horn dulnpocl to waste at most of the \\‘ziikalo mines. ln'ltrtoher last, the Lion! Mines Amendment Bill, designed to conserve slack for possible future use by tho Stair, was passed in the HOIIhU of llci’lrosontatires. it is to be hoped that. when the present rush of legislation is U\'(‘l'. the tiorernlnent \\ill aruil itsclt‘ ut‘ the powers given in this Act and lake steps to avert the large national waste of root which is going on. In supporting the Bill, Mr P. C. Webb mow Minister of Mines), is reported to hare said that 5.000000 sal—lons of fuel oil were lost in New Zealand every year through the waste of slack coal. Incl-easing Output. “The total importation or coal for the year ended December 31. 1935, was 97,398 tons, against 100,715 tons in the previous year. a decrease of 3317 tons. it is pleasing to learn that the Government is recognising the im—portance to the country of producing as far as possible its own coal requirements. and the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. “’ele, is to be commended for the action he has taken with reference to proposals to investigate the importation of large quantitles ot coal and [or the endeavour to increase the output of coal in this country. It is hoped. therefore, that a further decrease in the quantity of coal imported \\ill take place in the near future. “Another pleasing leature is that the total quantity of coal produced from the collierics operating in the Dominion during the year ended Decemher 31. 1935. was 2.115.134 tons lwliich was 54,809 tons more than was produced in the previous year. al—though this quantity was still 4127.008 tons less than the quantity produced ‘in 1930. Walknto (urbanisation. 1 “The plant of the Walkato Carbontsation Company continues to run satistfactortly and the exceptional quantity lot carbonattes is being maintained. ‘Sales of this excellent fuel continued to increase and your directors anticl—tpate a further increase during the looming year. The company also prolduces crude oil, and with an increase tin the output of carbonettes there has been an increase in the quantity of rrude oil produced. The Carbonisation Company continues to feel the effeet. of the recent price—cutting war ‘when the. colliel‘y companies contracted lfor a lengthy period to supply the Rail—wvay Department with coal at unprofit—able prices. ' L “At present it is difficult to make a reliable forecast. or the future. \\'orld

conditions are uncertain and cannot be controlled by any one country. but shareholders can he assured that the directors will, under all conditions, and at all times. continue to exercise prud—ent‘o and care. in dealing with the cornpany's an‘airs.‘l A High Grade Fuel. “ It is obvious from the report and balancevsheet that, the position of the company is much improved.“ said .\lr W. 1)- Holgate, in secondjng the motion. Referring to the operations of the unrbunisation Company, Mr Holsate, who is chairman of the company. said :—“’i‘]lc result. of the operations is rapldly proving that. the company was justified in its undertaking, which has involved an expenditure up to date of £160,000, as it is producing a hlsh~ grade fuel which is becoming more popular every day. The company is also producing oil which so far has had a ready sale. In addition the slack coal curbonised last year amounted to m‘er 20,000 tons. which otherwise‘ would have horn added to the large quantity dumped illld \\’asted last year. it is :tiilicilullt'tt that a much litrgcr amount oi stuck cont will he carbon—isctl during the coming your. "'l'tw m't‘r—pl'mlurtion of slack is one of our must, difficult problems and nnu \\hlt-ti [ .im lilraisml to see the prrst’nt li\)\l‘l‘llllit'tll is Sltl'lll'\\’llitL rou—l'l'l‘lll“]2|t|l|lllv l t'ntisiltt‘r that! the dime (titty can tw m'rrruut‘n luv dumping uno list-II sink in tho \\;t.tllt Lklkt' tit .17me tum \\||(‘l'|‘ chm; nu 1,000.000 tons‘ vultitl lu' tltttinwtl tlll It?) Hero; uf land‘ \\illt :m :n'r‘riuit» tlt‘le nt‘ uw‘r 12H. «11‘ \\.‘ltt‘l‘, 'l‘llt' pusitiun is rinse to thc‘ l‘.tl|\\.l). lllt‘ jlH\\t‘l‘ Illll'. Mint suitable! Im' liamsl'vrriuu lllt‘ ['Ht\\|‘x‘ l‘lillll {hunt tun: s \\'ltvtt't', Hills >.l\ii]g this a.“ ”f‘ ll't'lL'tlt. .\llllllttl ildltlillltltflt elm'trlt-tty he: rmiulrml L|\"’!‘ Jtlltt {llto\u mu S‘ll‘ltlb’} from .\rniluni.” i