PAPAROA MINE TROUBLE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 883, 1 August 1910, Page 6

PAPAROA MINE TROUBLE.

; •• ■ A MASS MEETING. (Br TeleeraDb-Prcss Association.! . Greymquth, July 30. Matters connected with the Paparoa Mine remain in statu quo since the union sent its ultimatum demanding the reinstatement of and compensation 'to Smeatou and Uarris. The manager, Mr. Watson, says he cannot retract from his position, as there had been three previous cases within a fortnight of damage to mine property, causing ten hours' delay, through, negligence on the part, of the men; hence the necessity for special notice. Smeaton was only employed on wages temporarily where the shot was fired, otherwise he contracts in other parts of the inino; and he was filling in time till a fresh contract was laid out. At. a mass meeting of minors last night it .was decided to adhere to their demands—namely, that the. two dismissed men be reinstated and compensated, otherwise they would not .return lo work. '•. .

The president of the union, interviewed by a "Star" reporter, said the men wore fighting for the principle that an inquiry should be held into all allegod cashes of negligence, the offenders, if found guilty, to be dealt with afterwards. In the present case the two suspended men were not .riven a chance to defend themselves.