BLACKBALL MINING TROUBLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2138, 13 March 1908, Page 2

BLACKBALL MINING TROUBLE.

ARBITRATION COURT. SITTING. DECISION TO BE GIVEN TO-DAY,. . Press Association. GREYMOUTH, March 12. The Arbitration .Court resumed the* sitting of the Blackball strike case this morning. Ten miners were examined, and the evidence wasTm similar lines to that already given. One 1 witness stated that lie was working I with one of the men who was dismissed, and he swore that the manager did not use any bad language. Counsel for the miners, in addressing the Bench, held that- the miners did not strike, and it was lawful for them to knock off work without a. moment’s notice, jis the company • sacked men without notice. He contended that tho manager had acted in a brutal way towards the men. Counsel for the Crown stated that the men had committed a breach for disobedience. They wanted, and demanded everything, and did not consider anybody. The manager had art - absolute right- to dismiss what men he wanted to. . The Bench announced that the de-: cision would be given at- 10.30 next morning.

MANAGEMENT AND MEN.' A (SETTLEMENT EFFECTED. Press Association. GREYMOUTH. March 12. Alter the Court proceedings closed yesterday, a meeting of the Blackball miners who were in town was held, when Mr. McCullough was present. Tho position was thoroughly fought out, with the result that- Messrs. Hickey and Fox were appointed a deputation to interview the manager and ask him to come to some settlement. Tho deputation stated that they were prepared to work the 10 hours shifts, providing that 20 minutes’ crib time was allowed; the dismissed, men to be reinstated; and a guarantyo given that- the men would not be victimised. Other conditions in dispute are to be submitted to the Arbitration Court at a future sitting. The management agreed to these terms, -and the deinitation stated that t-liev would ask the Miners’ Union to accept. A. meeting of the Union was called for at 10 o’clock this evening in Blackball, and after a long discussion tho terms were accepted by the Union. This means that tlie fear of a strike is over, and the men are prepared to start work on Saturday morning at 8 o’clock. _ In a short interview with Mr. Fox. vice-president of the Union, he said that no man could have brought about a settlement hut Air. McCullough, who put the case so clearly before the men, The general manager, Mr. Leiteli, states that lie is fully satisfied with the result, and is sure that the mine will work more smoothly.