MINE DISPUTE SETTLED

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24567, 16 May 1945, Page 6

MINE DISPUTE SETTLED

* FIRE MENACE TO BE REMOVED from Our Own Reporter GREYMOUTH, May 16. The Strongman and Liverpool State coal mines will work to-morrow, a 'satisfactory agreement baying been reached about the dispute at the Strongman mine, said Mr G. E. English, president of the State Miners Union. In a statement made Jast evening alter discussions at which the following were present: the Hon. A. McLagan (Minister of Manpower), Mr A. Prendiville (a member of the Coal Council), Mr George Duggan (Chief Inspector of Mines). Mr G, Hunter (District Inspector of Mines), Mr C. J. S. Strongman (superintendent of State Coal Mines), Mr J. Hadcroft (district manager), Mr J. Adamson (manager of the Strongman mine), Mr L. O’Loughlln (manager of the Liverpool mine), Messrs W. Connolly and J, Harrington (union check inspectore), Mr O. E. English (president of the Miners’ Union), and Mr J. Guy (secretary of the union). Mr English said an agreement was reached that all loose coal, wherever possible, is to be taken out of the old workings at the Strongman mine to remove the fire menace. Where this is impracticable, a lane about 60 feetvwide will be made through the centre of the old workings and the overhanging sides will be spragged up. The workings in question will be patrolled about twice a> week by two men to safeguard against any possible outbreak of fire. Where practlcable, after a solid place has been driven through, the timber will be withdrawn and the roof arched. That will apply to places not required for ventilation purposes in future, said' Mr English. All level places driven in the solid will not be driven more than lOt feet wide. To-morrow the management and the local check inspectors will confer and decide upon the places from which the coal will be taken away first. The Dobson and Wallsend men returned home to-day after a power failure which stopped the fang In the mines for 13 minutes from about 9 o’clock this morning. More than 2000 ions of coal have been lost during the last two days as a result of the strike and the two other mines being idle to-day. The Poolta, which was dispatched to Greymouth to obtain coal to relieve the shortage, has been unable to take any large quantity of local coal, and 400 tons of Westport coal to complete her loading were brought by a special train from Westport yesterday.