DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1926, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

[nr TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] GERMAN' CAPITAL FOR NEW ZEALAND. AUCKLAND, Feb. 17. It is now known that German capitalists have acquired claims at ljoth ends of the Mouowai Mine at Waiomio. between Thames and Coromandel. These are in the same vicinity as the Burn and Tap it districts where they propose to erect a concentration works for the treatment of refractory ores. They are making overtures for the purchase of the Mouowai Coy’s property with a view to consolidating their holidays. REFUSAL TO TAKE OVER. AUCKLAND, Feb. 17. The hospital boards finance committee has recommended that in view of the loss on St. Helen’s Hospital of i£(i,4oo last year and £51)23 the previous vear it should nut he taken over by the board. The recommendation was adopted. HOOLIGANISM. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 17. When the Tainui arrived at Lyttelton tiiis morning it was reported that there had been considerable hooliganism on board during tho voyage from London, caused by members of the ex-vol-unteer crew. They said the company owed them a bonus and because refused, they threw the ship’s iimmure overboard, smashed crockery and strew„d the decks with foodstuffs and assaulted tho officers.

HIKURANGI -MINERS STRIKE. AUCKLAND. February 17

Tiie men employed at the Hikurangi Coal Mine went on strike on Monday afternoon owing to the discharge of two truckers, who. it is alleged, loft part of their work undone and attended a dance, with the result that several truck's went off the line. Those men were given the alternative of having their case put before Die Miners’ Fnion. but. it is said, they declined. The rest of Use miners came out owing, it is alleged, to resentment at the manner in which their delegates were received by the mine manager.

One hundred men were affected. Regarding the strike at Hikurangi Coal Company’s mine, the men came out on Monday afternoon, lmt details are somewhat hard to procure. It appears the two youthful truckers wanted to go to a dance at Whakapara. and it is alleged that, in order to get away, tiiev left a certain portion of their work undone, in consequence of which several skips (or trucks) went olf the line and thereby the work ot trucking was hampered. On the two truckers making their reappearance at work, it is alleged the mine manager remonstrated with them and gave them Hie option of either having their ease put before the Miners’ Fnion or being discharged. The men, it is said, decided to take a discharge. Subsequently the whole of the minors employed in the mine came out in sympathy with the

disci la rged truckers. Over UM) men arc affected. It is stated in some quarters that, when some members of the executive of ihe Union went to interview the manager in connection with the matter. they met a discourteous reception, and that tile men will not return to work until an apology for the treatment accorded their executive members is forthcoming.

To-day a conference is proceeding between the representatives of the Company from Auckland, the mine manager and the executive of the Minors’ Fnion. It is not thought the trouble will spread, or he of lengthy duration.