MANGAPARA COAL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21187, 9 August 1940, Page 7

MANGAPARA COAL

OUTPUT 100 TONS A WEEK SURVEY IN PROGRESS (By Telegraph.—special to Times) NEW PLYMOUTH, Thursday Production at Mangapara coal mine, between Tangarakau and Ohura, is now about 100 tons a week. The mine, formerly operated by the Egmont Collieries, was reopened about four months ago under Government control and it is expected that production will be much increased as time goes on. Most of the coal produced at present is being used by the Railways Department in Taranaki. The mine was by no means in full production at the present time, said the manager, Mr J. Cunningham, Ohura. An extensive geological survey was being made, and following this the mine would be opened up to the best advantage, with a consequent increase in coal production. About 20 men were employed at present. Use by Railways Department To his knowledge most of the coal was railed to New Plymouth, continued Mr Cunningham, and he understood it was being used by the Railways Department in Taranaki. He did not know whether the coal was being used privately to any extent. An official of the Railways Department at Stratford said yesterday that the coal was used for firing engines in Taranaki, but not on the StratfordMain Trunk line. Its use there was vetoed because the pungent odour of the smoke made it unsuitable for use where tunnels were frequent. Otherwise it was very suitable for locomotives. Probably as the production is expanded the coal will be made available to coal merchants and factories. Several dairy factories in the Stratford district used to consider the coal ideal for factory purposes and it had a high reputation for'household use. The question of smell does not arise in these cases.