TRADES AND LABOR COUNCIL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 19 February 1901, Page 2

TRADES AND LABOR COUNCIL.

Tuesday, Febkcaky If).

{Continued from fourth page.)

The Council resumed this morning at half-past nine o'clock, all members present including the representative from Buller. Eesolved that no speaker bo allowed more than 15 minute's on any one subjeet.

It was mentioned incidentally that the meeting was specially convened to bo held at Greymouth in order to be able to give-evidence before the Coal Commissionl now in {his district. From the Greymouth Wharf Laborers' Union intimating that it; was intended to join the Council, and asking if a delegate would be admitted to present meeting; and asking for further information as.'to cost and constitution.

A large amount of routine correspondence was read and dealt with. In regard to Mr Holler's resignation as a member of the Conciliation "Board, Mr Beds pointed out that the resignation was sent at first to the wrong department, and he did not know if it had yet reached the proper authority. The resignation, however, would take effect and the Council should sec to the nomination of his successor. The President said this was on the order paper and would come on at a later period of the present session. The following letter from the Mines Department was read : "I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th nlto., suggesting that three tests should be made of compressed air used in coal and quartz mines (a) of the exhaust from the machines (b) the air before it enters the machines, and (c) the air in the working places where the machines are used. "In reply I am to inform you that the use of compressed air in quartz mines is found generally to be for the benefit of the miner. With regard to coal mines, the exhaust air is also found to be beneficial the only possible objection being a slight oily smell due to the lubrication of the cylinders in the machines, and as to the compressed air being injurious to health, the idea is held to be ridiculous. " For the information of the Trades and Labour Council I may inform you that at the Xaitangata Colliery in compressed air has been used with excellent results for giving fresh air to men engaged in driving headings where it was not convenient .(or would have been ineffective) to have used bratticing. It is not, however, considered that compressed air will altogether provide for sufficient ventillation of mines, nor, owing to the highcost|of producing it, is compressed air likely to be used entirely for ventilating, but as an auxiliary, even if it be exhaust air, it is decidedly useful." The President said that the reason they objected to compressed air was because it was not kept on all the time. When it was turned oif it allowed noxious gases to accumulate.

Mr Russell thought (lie Minister for Mines had misunderstood the question. Mr Belts said that the compressed air used at Boefton was only put on when actual work was going on. What his Union desired was that there should also he natural ventilation.

The following report was read by l] lo Secretary:— J

It is with, groat pleasure indeed that m, SU m * my 3rd aiu ™al report. The J he Irades and Labor Council of West*#??S? r tll ° l )r0,ld Possessor of six a hhatedUmons with a total membership ot close upon 1250. I trust that in the near future wc shall have two more \. n '°P/< omus - Since the inauguration ot tins t ouncil m 1897, the number of Unionists on the West Coast has increased wonderfully and it Is indeed very pleasing to note that the newly joined Unions recognise the fact that unity is strength by becoming affiliated. The financial position of (lie Council is very lair indeed, when we take into consideration the smallness of our income. The many miles that separate the various unions constituting this body entails a heavy drain upon them, therefore they could not reasonably be expected to nay an increase in contributions. Last year for the second time you sent Delegates to the Annual Trades Council Conference (a copy of the proceedings of which now lies on the table). It is useless for me to speak about the good that

arises from such meetings as you all know that many of the good labor laws of die colony have been the outcome of such, and I trust that you will sec your way clear this year to again send representatives;

" At this meeting you will again bo called upon to discuss and deliberate upon many matters affectiDg tho wages and well be'ng of the workers of tho West Coast in particular and the whole of the colony in general and I trusb that your endeavors will be marked by tho success they deserve." 11 .'port received and adopted. The order paper was then considered. Tho fir ; If question being tho Miners'Act and necessary amendments thereto. Toe President said that if the Act as generally read in regard to travelling road was correct then the minors at Denniston would have to travel two or three miles as there was an outlet on one side of the bill and one on tho other. Mr. Hill said tho same condition of affairs existed at Blackball. Mr. Lsech held that the travelling road was kept expressly for emergency in caso of accident, and not

intended for ordinary traffic by miners. Mr. Coppersmith thought the question not one for easy adjustment between tho men and manager. It could not bo expected that a company should put down a shaft every fifty yards. Kesolved on the motion of Mr. Patz that representations be made to the Minister for Mines and also to Coal Commissioners upon the subject of travelling roads and outlet to mine, Pointing out that the Act appears to be defective., inasmuch as the men are not allowed a< all times to travel by road. Tho mover said a reasonable interpretation would be taken. A company such as tho Blackball with their long 8 tone tunnel could hardly be expected to alter, but better provision was required. A long discussion of a technical charactfr ensued in which the incomplete nature of soveral of tho clauses of the Act were adversely commented upon, Mr Hill said there were some points he did not agree with, but on the whole supported the motion. The motion was then put and carried. Coal mine ventilation —Mr Copper- j smith moved that coal mine owners employing over 20 hand be compelled to erect a fan driver by either steam or j water, as well as artificial air, in order to force the air into the mine. The President thought the air should bo supplied in a sufficient quantity, say 100 cubic feet, to each workmen, and should be bratticed up within 20 feet of such working face. Mr Betts supported Mr Coppersmith's resolution and hoped to see it adopted with reference to all mines. He did not agree with tho method of enquiry with regard to going round and asking men if they had any complaint to make. He held that the miners should make their complaints to the Union who would communicate with the Inspector of Mines.

Resolved that Government bo asked to compel all mine-owners to erect a fan in all mines, employing over 20 hands. Resolution put and carried unanimously.

The Chairman moved that ventilation he conducted within 15 feet of every working face. Government to be urged to that effect,

Mr Belts thought thoy were curtailing the power they had laid down in the Act already. Mr Leech said Companies were even tc-day evading the Act with regard to brattice work for convoying the air and carrying away impurities, only three feet ot brattice being erected to conduct the necessary 100 cubic feet.

Mr Patz spoke very strongly on the same point, having had experience of same through working under such unhealthy conditions. Mr Maddison spoke to the same effect. Mr Russell thought the furnace was an obsolete method and should be done away with, and the fan substituted. Mr Leech condemned the use of tlte furnace inasmuch as the air was of an irregular character, and advocated the substitution of the fan.

Mr Shaw did not claim to be an ex'pert in coal-mining, but thought tho word "place" should be substituted for face, insomuch that the miner had to look after the timber in that place. Mr Leech was of the same opinion.

The President said the furnaces were beyond the power of sending air to the miners, stating that miners were carried out suffering from bad air within a week from the opening of the mine on Denniston* Hill. Ho said the fan should be erected from the starting of the mine. Resolution : " That ventilation should be conducted within fifteen feet of each working face." Ayes, 7 ; noes, -4. — Motion carried.

Mr Hill moved and Mr Maddison seconded '■ " That all stoppings be composed of brick, and that boys or mon be engaged to look after same. Mr Coppersmith said brick was of a porous nature. He favored chock stoppings composed of timber and slack from two to three feet thick.

Mr Russell agreed with the "previous speaker. Mr Betts supported brick stoppings, quoting instances where timber and slack stoppings were liable to fire. Mr Hill said experience had taught him that brick stoppings were the best.

Resolved : " Thai where a man-hole or air-guage is put in, that the stoppings be of brick."—Carried unanimously. The Council then adjourned till 2 p.m.