The State Coal Mines.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 39, 1 December 1911, Page 11

The State Coal Mines.

What Is Going , On a

WE, the members of the State Miners' Union, consider it our duty to the people of this Dominion to bring under their notice the condition of affairs at the State Mines re the influx of water in No. 1 Section, and the condition of affairs generally, and we Challenge the Mines Department and management to prove that at any time the workings of these mines have been in the best interest of the people. The object of the late Hon. R. J. Seddon in inaugurating the State Mines was. to enable the people of New Zealand to obtain their coals at a reasonable cost. We contend that with regard to the system of coal extraction, both respecting economy and the safety of tlie workmen, also the percentage of coal won —that results have proved same to be obsolete, dangerous and disastrous, and this Union requests the co-opera-tion of the people of New Zealand in demanding an investigation into the management obtaining in these mines. Some five years ago a bore hole was put down, and when some 200 feet from the coal met with a porous strata, containing a huge body ofg, water, which was of such volume that it forced itself some 20 feet above the surface. Subsequently some four or five other bore holes were put down and met practically with the same which we consider should have been sufficient proof to tlie manager that in the ordinary course of working the mines that he would have the water to contend with. Notwithstanding this, no provision has been made by the management to install sufficient plant to adequately deal with it, and at no time has any margin been in hand to cope with, any contingency which might arise. Some eighteen months ago a manifesto was issued by the Union pointing out the lack of sufficient machinery to efficiently cope with any reasonable influx of water. On representation being made to the Government the Minister of Mines, in the House of Representatives, stated, in reply to a question from Sir Arthur Guinness, that the power and plant available was adequate to> deal with all contingencies. Events have proved this statement to be altogether incorrect, the water having risen during the last five months" at least 15 chains in the dip, and is still rising at an average rate of 6ft per day. At the present time thousands of tons of coal have been lost, and if the water is allowed to rise at the present rate not 10 per cent, of the coal in sigTit can possibly be won. The quantity of water being pumped

SViansfesto Issued by the State Miners' Union to the People of Zealand,

out of the mine at present is infinitesimal, compared with other mines in the Dominion, which is proved by the fact that not more than 10,300 gallons per hour is discharged from two pumps, while at WaiM one pump is discharging 84,000 gallons per hour. At the present time the compressors from which the pumps derive their motive power are being driven up to their limit, and if a breakage occurs the pumps necessarily have to stop, as there is no duplicate machinery in case I of emergency. Moreover, the haulage engines are lying idle for 16 hours a .day and no attempt has been made to utilise this power to assist the pumps, when by this means about 10,000 gallons per hour could be drawn from the mine. The manager stated to a deputation from this Union that if the pump were capable of lifting a further 80 gallons per minute they would be able to hold the water in check. It therefore appears absurd that machinery is allowed to lie idle which is able to cope with double this quantity. We think that sufficient has now been stated to prove to the public generally that the Mines Department and management are not making any attempt to deal with the situation, or win the coal already developed, but instead they appear to be using their utmost endeavours to crush the industry and to prove to the people that State enterprise is a failure. Had these mines been opened up and worked on a reasonably scientific system instead of the obsolete methods j which have obtained since their inception their success would be remarkable. Obsolete methods have resulted not only in an enormous loss of black diamonds and a deterioration of the quality being won, but what is niore serious still, in hundreds of accidents, including 11 fatal in the mines and two outside, which proves conclusively that sufficient care has not been exercised to reasonably protect the lives and health of the people. There has been a double pump capable of discharging many thousands of gallons of water per hour lying on the works for the last eighteen months, and no attempt has been made to bring it into commission until this union has made a move towards bringing these matters before the public. It appears to be public opinion generally that anything coming, from the State Mines should be taken with a grain of salt. But we beg to state most emphatically that we are in the position to prove every statement made, and the position of the mines

lias not been overdrawn in the leasts in fact, if all the truth were toldv the position is much worse than herels! stated. (Signed.) THE EXECUTIVE OF THE STATH MINERS' UNION, BUNANGA.

At Chicago two men who are serving sentences of 17 years' imprisonment om a murder charge have oeen declared! innocent by ex-Judge Freeman, what sentenced them. Steps are being takea to secure their release, it being alleged that they ar© the victims of a polioei campaign to secure a conviction at all costs.. » sr « O brother man, fold to thy heart tbjs brother; Where pity dwells the peace of GoS is there, To worship rightly is to love each other f Each smile a hymn, each kindly deeai a prayer. >— J. -,G. Whittkr,.