THE HUNTLY POSITION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1584, 30 October 1912, Page 6

THE HUNTLY POSITION.

UESUMPTION OP WORK. (By ToleeraDh.—Pros* Association.) Auckland, October 29. The Huntly correspondent of one of tho Auckland papers telegraphs asfollows: For the first time for over two weeks the mine whistles this morning met with a response, and, by 7.30 a.m., the men began to muster at Ralphs and Extended Miues. A copy of the directors official statement had been posted up at the pit heads. Tho men, on reading the statement, seemed nonplussed, and, in several cases, came down from tho pit head and consulted members of the local executive, who wcro strongly in evidence. In every instance the executive recommended the men to start work right away, and, beforo eight o'clock, the men. commenced to descend. At present the roll of workers is about seventy short of the number working previous to tho trouble, tho absentees being men who havo left tho district or are. working a few miles away. It is expected that, within a wcok or bo, the full number will again bo employed. Tho mines bear the old familiar appearance. The coal commenced to come up within two or three hours of tho redumption of work. For tho present tho tension is undoubtedly relieved, but the registration of the now union will be tho ! crucial point.

I Naturally, the local executive and tho visiting fedorationists are chary of expressing their opinions freely, but, froin their supporters, it can be gathered that the delegates will insist that their position is not so bad as it njipears to bo. Ihe general idea is that either tho registration of tho new union or tho expiry of the award may again precipitate > trouble. Messrs. Webb, Scrapie, and Fnisor Virb still here. ' REVOLVER STORY. Auckland, October 29. A sensational statement was made last night to tho effect that an arbitrationist had been set upon in a hotel, and had nred a revolver in self-defence. There was undoubtedly a report resoinblin" a revolver shot, but, on the police rushing in and searching the man, no sign of a revolver was found, nor was thero any indication of a bullet mark anywhere. A man was molested, but tho explanation offered by tho onlookers is that the report was caused by a large cracker sot oft by a practical jokor. There is a likelihood of police proceedings, which may help to clear up a matter which is agitating some federationists considerably.

TALISMAN OPERATIONS. A private message received states that as tbe Huntly mines have started and coal supplies will be coming to hand, work in the Talisman mine will Ijo resumed this morning.