THE COAL MINES

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1931, Page 2

THE COAL MINES

POSITION AT BLACKBALL. At a meeting of the Blackball Miners’ Union held during the weekend, 'a communication was received from the manager of the Blackball Coal Company, that he would not employ any further men at the mine, other than unionists. The Company were prepared to place about twenty men, but there were some members 01 the Union, whom he would not give further employment. The Secretar. of thb Union was instructed to obtain the names of. members to whom employment at the mine would, no given, and it was also decided that i there were any men to put on, the positions would be balloted for. A conference between Union representatives and the Company’s manager was held yesterday afternoon. AT WALLSEND AND DOBSON. Orders in hand at the Wallsend mine enab’ed it to be worked on Monday and it will a’so operate to-day. The Dobson mine will continue working until Wednesday, when the notices of dismissal to the employees will expire. The Company will then invite applications for the number of men required, but owing to slackness in the coal trade, approximately 200 of the present employees will not he re-engaged. MT. BURNETT MINE. I The Boa Coal Mining Syndicate, Blackball, which has taken over the leases of the Mount Burnett Coal l Mine, is at present carrying out preliminary work prior to beginning mining operations, comments the “Golden Bay Times.” An endless rope tramway is being constructed to bring the coal from flic mine mouth to the bins which are to be installed on land adjoining the road. At present 15 men are employed on the job. It is expected that; some six weeks will elapse liefore coal is produced. Once the seam is opened up, many more men .will be required, which should ease the unemployment situation in this district.