STATE COAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1696, 13 March 1906, Page 3

STATE COAL.

MINERS’ GRIEVANCES. (Par Press Association.) Westport, last night. At a public meetiog held at Westport to-night, called to oonßider what steps should be taken to effect an improvement in the output of coal from the Seddonville Slate mine, the Mayor presided. A deputation from Seddonville la : d its views before the meeting. It was stated that the mine had not worked more than half time sinoe its inception, and since tbe beginning of the present year had only worked 30 days 2 hours. Mnoh dißsatisfaotion was expressed with the Wellington management, aDd resolutions were carried as follows: (1) That this public meeting I urge upon Government tbe necessity of 1 expeditiouely working the Seddonville coal mine, the present method of working only a few days a week being a great injustice to miners at Seddonville and this distriot, I and also to coal consumers of the colony ; (2) That the commercial method oi dealing with the ea'e of Ssddonville coal is | unsatisfactory, and requires complete reorganisation, and this meeting urgis tbe opening of agencies in Wellington, and other chief centres of the colony under tbe Mines Department for the sale of Ssddon* ville coal ; (3) That this meeting strongly recommend that tbe f.o.b, prico at Westport or in the trucks at Seddonville be advertised in the chief colonial pspers ; (4) That as the Seddonville mine is easily worked and can produce 2000 tons per week of first-class coa l , it seems sorious, considering tbe largest mine in the district is about pultiog on a double shift, that Seddonville coal cannot be sold at payable prices. The former Cardiff company ound a ready sale for similar coal.