BULLER MINES TAKEN OVER BY THE STATE

Grey River Argus, 3 April 1948, Page 8

BULLER MINES TAKEN OVER BY THE STATE

Industry on Eve Of Large Expansion

(Our Own Corresoondent) WESTPORT, April 2.

As from this week, the State is taking over the collieries at Millerton and at Denniston. There are likely to be great developments in both of these mining centres, and this apart from a move to mechanise the mines, which would entail considerable cost. Mr McGhie stated to-day that every effort would be made to develop to the full the vast coal resources in the Buller district. He was.confident he said, of a very happy time under State control.

Referring to staffing, he said that, at present, Mr A. Openshaw would be manager at Denniston; Mr R. Marshall would be manager at Millerton, and Mr G. Gilbert manager at Stockton. There would be a new head office of the Mines Department at Westport. It will be in a building at the lower end of Palmerston Street. It is not definitely known as yet what will be the fate of the old building that has been used as an office for many wears by the Westport Coal Company. It is understood that Mr B. J. Mathewson, who has for many been manager for the Westport Coal Companv at Westport, will be in charge of the new Mines Department office in that town. With the incorporation of the Millerton and the Denniston mines in its nationalisation scheme, the Government can be said now to be employing more than half of the male workers in the Buller district.