GREEN ISLAND COLLIERY.

Bush Advocate, Volume XX, Issue 1028, 16 May 1908, Page 5

GREEN ISLAND COLLIERY.

[PRESS ASSOCIATION.] , . DUXKDJN, yesterday. Friction occurred "at Christie Bros*, coalmine, Green -Island, yesterday, over the refusal ;pfr the proprietors, to permit workers' represent. -sives to inspect the mine. :,; On. arrival at CHi^ptie" ; No. 2 mine this morninjr. discussion arose among the miners as to il\e jrcu on why checTv inspectors were- refused admission. After consultation, a statement was drawn up, affirming that tho men thought there was something radically wrong with the mine, or tho owners would not} have refused; to\ . allow a check inspection to be made ; and that the men accordingly were afraid to risk their lives, and would not go to work until such time as the. mine was inspected by the workers' inspectors. ' - - - Representatives of the men came to Dunodin, and held a lengthy interview with. lnspectors Hally and Hollows (of the Labor Department), and Mr Green (Government inspector of mines). It is understood that" Mr James Christie, one of the owners and manager of the Saddle Hill mines, was willing to be -present, but the men declined to meet him. From what could be gathered, the miners intimated that, if Christie Bros, would invite check inspectors to visit their mines, they would be prepared to return to work. The miners considered that danger existed in tho accumulation of water in the old workings above. It is alleged that one miner tapped water in three dif-. ferent pfaces in the overhead workings. The fear is that the present workings are liable to be flooded. Mr Green, inspector of mines, left town, this afternoon to make an examination of No. 2 Saddle Hill mine. In the course of a brief interview, he stated that he was. .riot a Ware of any impending danger in the mine, nor had anything been brought under his notice, suggesting that any danger existed, either from accumulation of water in the old workings or from gas. He had had this mine under close inspection, and he had found its workings to be in : no less safe or satisfactory condition than those of mines on which check inspectors- had just reported favorably. Work at. No. 1 Saddle Hill mine, about a mile away from No. 2, was proceeding to-day, but it is possible that, unless a settlement is arrived at, the men there will cease work tomorrow. •-. The men submitted proposals to the company that they and the check inspectors must be paid for loss of time incurred as a result of the refusal to permit inspections.^.. DUMJIN, to-day. At a. meeting- -xrf the miners on strike it was decided that- the men in No." 2 mine shall not go^tq work until check inspectors have made their inspection, and that the men be paid for all time lost. The owners have refused suggesting instead that if the mine was shown to be unsafe and they were wrong in refusing an inspection, they should pay all expenses arid wages. The inspector of mines urged the men to accept this, and they.Avill probably agree at a meeting to be held tonight. . r '■■"£ * -: > f)f NfepiN,' to-day. Christie Bros: have lodged £11 6s 3d with the Labor Department to pay the expenses. and wages. Yesterday it was understood that the Mines Department will ■■; take proceedings against them for refusing to allow check inspectors into the mine.