THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 33

THE OTIRA TUNNEL.

.\N INDUSTRIAL DEADLOCK.

GREYMOUTH, August 16.

The Otira correspondent of the Qrey-. mouth Star advises that all work is at a standstill there to-day. The details of the trouble are, of a very meagre description. It appears that Mr M'Lean demanded that each man should deposit the sum of 10s 6d, presumably for the safe return of the lamps used by the men in the tunnel. The men strenuously objected to this. The night shift went for their lamps this morning, and were refused unless a deposit was made. The men went back to their huts. The day shift turned out for work this morning, and tho same thing occurred. The afternoon shift went to work, and the same thing happened. All work is at a standstill. A deputation waited on Mr Gavin yesterday afternoon. The men wanted him to let things go on as usual till they hear from Mr M'Lean, but he said the lamp business would be enforced at once. The men "are of the opinion that it is a lockout. Every man changed and was ready for work. Everything is quiet and i orderly. The resolution ordering the stand taken by the miners was passed by 12p members present. Mr M'Lean is absent in Auckland. The men have stopped work at both the Otira and Bealey ends of the tunnel.

— Since the sixteenth century the Dutch have reclaimed more than on© million acrea of land from sea, lake, and river.