CHRISTMAS PAYMENTS AT GREY' MINES

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24749, 14 December 1945, Page 3

CHRISTMAS PAYMENTS AT GREY' MINES

* LAST YEAR’S RECORD EXCEEDED From Our Own Reporter GREYMOUTH, December 13. State mines throughout the Grey district, which last year paid out a record amount for pre-Christmas pay together with Christmas holiday payments, will this year exceed that figure by about £IO,OOO. Approximately £45,000 will be paid out at the five district State mines to-morrow: £24,000 at the two Runanga district mines— Strongman and Liverpool—and approximately £20,000 at Wallsend, Dobson, and Blackball.

Last year the Runanga State mines’ payment was about £19,000, and Grey Valley mines, £14,000. To-morrow’s pay, which incorporates the earnings of employees up to December 7, tilso includes full payment for the Christmas and New Year holiday period up to January 7, when the mines will •resume. The resumption will be earlier than usual because' of the Dominion coal situation.

Mines will cease production for the Christmas and New Year holiday period next Friday. December 21, and mine workers will be paid again about December 27, when they will, under normal circumstances, again be entitled to a full fortnight’s pay for the current period.

Taking into consideration the holiy p^'’„some miners will draw more than £SO clear to-morrow, while the general aggregate is built up considerably by the payment of increased truckers’ tonnage rates at the mines. Production has been well maintained various mines throughout the district, and while the demand exceeds the supply, the position should prove more stable than in the last two Christmas periods.