Deputy Charged with Mines Act Breaches in the Waikata

Grey River Argus, 16 September 1948, Page 4

Deputy Charged with Mines Act Breaches in the Waikata

P.A. AUCKLAND, Sept. 15 A repercussion of the strike of miners’ deputies, which stopped work in all Waikato underground mines for three days in July, was heard in the Huntly court to-day, when John Green was charged betore Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., with breaches of the Coal Mmes’ Act and Coal Mine Regulations, 1939. ■The defendant pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to carry out his duties by making only one inspection of his section of Rotowaro No. 1 mine on July 2, 1948, instead of two, and failing ,to make a full report of his inspection. A charge of making a raise report was withdrawn. Mr J. F. Strang, who appeared for the complainant, the Inspector of coal mines, James Adamson, said that evidence would be given by two miners in Hill 60 in Rotowaro No. 1 mine that the defendant’s visit there on July 2 did not occur until 11.30 a.m. and that this was his only visit that day. 'ihey later claimed, wasting time, because or the defendant's late arrival. The defendant was reduced from the status of Foreman Deputy to shiftman. A strike of deputies lasting three days resulted, this ending when it was agreed that the defendant should continue to receive a deputy’s pay in the meantime, but should not carry out deputy’s duties. It was submitted that the defendant should have been two separate inspections of the mine, and that-, if this was not done, his reports should have said so.

After evidence for the prosecution, the case was adjourned to September 23.