LOSS OF COAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1920, Page 5

LOSS OF COAL.

j TACJPIPvI MINES IDLE. THE MEX'S SMALL EXCUSE. , Br Telegraph.—Press Association Auckland, Last Night. The miners employed by the Tuupiri Coal Company who work on the Kotowaru mine had another day off to-day, tlie reason given by the head oltieo being tlnit the men refused to wait for the train that conveys them daily to and from the mine, and which was hulf-au-hour late this morning. This train leaves Huntly every morning at 7 o'clock with the men for Kotowarn and Pukemiro mines. This morning, owing to a heavy fog at Huntly 111 the night, considerable dilliculty was experienced in getting up steam on the. engine, and the train was not ready to leave until about ten minutes to eight. 1 he result was that the Hotowaru men decided not to wait for the belated ei.gine, and returned to their homes. About sixty of ,!ie Pukemiro miners also refused to wait for the train, and went home rather than start work half-an-hour late.

I lie action of the Rotowara minors menus ttie loss of IiOO tons of coal, this being Hip average output of that mine, while the loss of coal from the Pukemiro mine for tiie day will be in the vicinity of 200 ions, mulcing a total loss in coal of approximately 500 tons. ( STRIKK IN THE SOUTH. FIFTY' MICX IDLE. Ihmedin, Last Night. Tn accordance with notice given on Friday last, tlie miners working the 'fa rata coal mines went on strike to-day. It appears that when the new agreement of three months ago came into operation, granting a 50 per rent, increase on the pre-war rates, the increase of threepence per ton granted the miners in 1!)1S was discontinued. A meeting of the men was held this evening, when it was decided to adhere to their previous determination.

It appears the strike is not too popular. Some of the men—two or threehave already applied for work at the Kaitangata mine, and will commence there to-morrow morning. Altogether 50 men are affected.