GAS STOPS WORK IN MINE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 925, 19 March 1930, Page 7

GAS STOPS WORK IN MINE

ALSO CAUSES DISPUTE DEPUTY’S SUSPENSION ASKED Press Association GREY.MOUTH. Tuesday. The Dobson colliery has been idle for the past week owing to the presence of about 5,000 cubic feet of gas (carburetted hydrogen) in the rise workings. A conference between the mine management and the Miners’ Union decided that as the gas was not removable by ordinary methods an air jet be used to get rid of it. that the cavity in which gas has gathered be sealed up, and that operations in the rise workings cease immediately This decision was endorsed by the union. The quantity of gas was first reported by a deputy as being only 30 cubic feet, whereas the miners’ inspectors, the inspector of the mine and also the mine manager, were agreed that the quantity was about 5,000 ft. The union therefore demanded that the deputy be suspended until an inquiry was held by the miners’ district counThe mine management, however, today Informed the Miners’ Union that if the deputy were suspended all members of the Deputies’ Union would refuse to enter the mine. The Miners’ Union decided to adhere to its demand for suspension, and to refer the matter to the West Coast Miners’ Council. a meeting of which will now be called. _______________________