TAUPIRI EXTENDED MINE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 279, 21 August 1919, Page 4

TAUPIRI EXTENDED MINE

$ SERIOUS EFFECT OF STOPPAGE ON COAL POSITION. By Telegraph—Presß Association. Auckland, August 20. Information from Huntly to-day shows that the Taupiri Colliery Company's Extended Mine is still idle, the men declining to resume work until the opinion of a Government expert is obtained in regard to tlio safety of the mine. So far as can ho ascertained there appears to be 110 development of iVhat the men describe as a "creep.". Statements have been issued by the company and-the men dealing with the question of' the danger. and the,, position now is that the men, are requiring a conference with the management after an expert opinion of a Government official is obtained. The company, in its statement, said it considered tho mine was quite safe, and thought tho work should be resumed immediately. Tho effect of the stoppago upon the coal position locally is serious, inasmuch as tho Extended Mine had an output of between 800 and 900 tons daily, and in addition to supplying household requirements. the supply from the mine was largely used for steam' purposes. Tho largest quantity went to the Railway Department, which had requisitioned the company to supply every available ton of coal. The company had endeavoured to do so. and'tho quantity to be sup ; plied this year would probably amount to 40.000 toiis. For tho past two months the company had been supplying tho Railway Department with over 800 tons of coal a week, most of which came from the Extended Mine.