DOMINION ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1931, Page 6

DOMINION ITEMS

STATE MINE. . , - (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 14. An extraordinary development occurred at No. 2 Liverpool State Mine on the West Coast to-day, when the miners re-used to attend work on tno ground that the weather tyas too wet for them to walk the distance of 18 chains from the Middle Brake to nui mine entrance.

Advice of the fact that the mine had been, rendered idle for this reason was’ received by the Alines Department today. The Mine Manager reported that the men had offered the excuse that it was too wet for them to walk eighteen chains to the mine entrance. It was stated that No. 1 mine was working. MINISTER OF MINES. i ON INCREASED DEMAND. WELLINGTON, July 14. Discussing the stoppage at the Liverpool No. 2 Mine, the Minister or Mines said the occurrence was regrettable, especially in view of the fact that the price of State coal lias been reduced in Wellington recently, and that there was consequently an increased demand, which reacted to tne benefit of the miners themselves, ny increasing tho output from the mine, the workers were able to make additional wages, and it was to their auvantage to keep up the supply now that there was every prospect of an increased demand. MAORI SHOOTS HIMSELF. WELLINGTON, July 14. Hire Johnson, a half-cast Maori, aged 20 years, committed suicide this morning at the Three Mile Bush, near Kamo, by shooting himself with a gun borrowed from a neighbour. At the inquest this afternoon, a verdict was returned that deceased was of unsound mind when he committed the deed. GAS WORKS FIRE. CHRISTCHURCH, July 15. Fire caused several hundreds of pounds damage to the engine house at the Sumner Gas Works early this morning and the supply to the borough this evening is likely to h.) seriously affected. The blaze evidently started in the men’s dressing room. The whole of the woodwork was destroyed and parts of the machinery were damaged by the fierce heat. PRICE OF COAL. CHRISTCHURCH, July 15. Christchurch coal merchants give an emphatic denial to the telegraphed report that the price of We-t Coast coal here has been advanced from 5s 3d to (Is a bag. , It is absolutely untrue, said one. The tendency is for the price to fall. The only exceptions concern a couple of Reefton coals which have gone up by threepence a hag, due to railway freights, but they do not affect the general position at all. Other firms confirmed this .statement.