ONAKAKA IRON WORKS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1931, Page 6

ONAKAKA IRON WORKS

PROSPECTS OF REOPENING

The reopening of the 1 blast furnace at Onakaka. is now almost certain, , 1 according to a statement made by Mi . j Spencer G. Smith, of Motueka, who , j represented the men employed at the i works at a conference held in Wellington recently, says the “Golden Bay Times.” j The conference was attended by the [.Minister for Mines, the Hon. A. J Murdoch, the Under-Secretary of M ines, representatives of the Crown Law Office, and the Treasury Department, Messrs C. T. White and H. Johnson, representing the receivers for the company in liquidation, and Mr Smith, representing the men. Mr J A. Heskett, formerly works manager for the company, was also present. A proposal to enable the Government and the'debenture-holders to come into J line was submitted to the conference. | It was discussed at length, and a tenj tative agreement was reached. I It is understood that the Governj ment and the debenture -holders have reached a formal agreement along similar lines, which will result in the men being paid the full amount of the arrears of their wages, and also that the reopening of the blast furnace shortly is practically certain.- Tin’s will involve the employment of an additional 70 or 80 men. The’ newspaper quoted says it. is also learned from an authoritative source that an arrangement lias been come to by Mr J. A. Heskett with the deben-ture-holders and the Government whereby the works will he carried on for a period under certain conditions, and that, if these operations are successful, the permanent re-establishment of the works is practically assured.