West Coasters' Grievances.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7925, 5 October 1904, Page 3

West Coasters' Grievances.

'(Per Presa Association) s

GREYMOUTH, October 4,

The Premier visited the State coal mine at Rununga yesterday morning in order to personally investigate the matters that had been brought before him by the deputation of miners on Saturday evoning. He was accompanied by Mr J. G. Roberts, Commissioner of Crown Lands, and Mr Bishop, manager of the mine.

After inspecting the neighbourhood of the mine, the Premier said that the miners who had squatted on land close to- the (pits could not be allowed to remain, and must shift directly the new sections that were being surveyed off were ready. .These sections would be reserved entirely for the ■ miners, and those who were being compelled to move their homes would have preference. He said that he did not think the miners had any claim to compensation, but if they could show that they had received permission from the mine authorities to settle on reserved land the Government would assist them to some extent in the moving of their buildings. He expressed regret that speculators had been able to take up the township sections intended for miners, and thus defeat the intentions of the Government, and ■ stated that the railway station would not be placed wbere originally intended near the town, hip and the hotel that had been somehow put there, but would be erected further down the line near the new miners' sections.

Later Mr Seddon chose a site for the station, about half a mile nearer Greymouth than was originally intended. This will mean that there will be no need for miners to pass through the original township.