TROUBLE AT HUNTLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1918, Page 5

TROUBLE AT HUNTLY.

MINE ALLEGED TO BE UNSAFE. MEN STOP~ WORK. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The miners at the Taupiri Coal Mine Company's extended mine at Huntly did not work to-day. Enquiries at the company's Auckland office indicate that the question at issue concerns the safety of the men. A little firedamp was found in a section of the mine about a week ago, but the general manager reported that he had immediately rectified this, and rendered the mine safe again. On Wednesday the manager received a communication from the newly-elected president of the union, asking that all the men be withdrawn from the mine, alleging that unsatisfactory conditions prevailed. This the manager refused to do, pointing out that the constitutional procedure would be for the union to request the local inspector of mines to visit and report on the mine. Following an interview with the manager, the president, it is stated, chalked up a notice at the pithead that there would be no work in the property on the following day, and calling a meeting of the union for this afternoon. The company telegraphed to the inspector, who arrives at Huntly to-mor-row morning. A rumor to the effect that the extended mine is afire has been officially contradicted.