THE BLACKWATER STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 223, 13 June 1908, Page 6

THE BLACKWATER STRIKE.

;.. T~T — —- ". ' , ...THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE. (3Y TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) _ Roefton, June 12. Details of the Blackwater striko. show that. Mr. George Stott, a contractor, working for the- Blackwater Mines Company, obtained contracts, in addition. to those already in hand, at a higher, price than that tendered by a. working nartyX Air hands emnloyed by Mr. Stott struck. If Mr. Stott gets hands the miners at Blackivater threaten to strike..; The situation is to bo discussed on Sunday at Blackwater.

(BY TELEQEATH. —SPECIAL COKEESrONDENT). : m -•'■ Creymouth, June 12. Two men, who are on striko at Blackwater, on being interviewed by a ' 'Star" reporter, said thovtrouble' on . which they have ceased .wqyliingvarises from tho fact-that one man has had altogether, too much of a monopoly of the, contracts. • On Saturday some' tenders were balled for and' sent in, but : the tender of the man'in question was accepted, ■for a rise at- 305.; per foot, on the ground that the others hair not complied with the ; conditions by sending a'! deposit of 25 per cent.' This the men say was not tho case, as they wero Quito' in form, yet the contract for the rise was let to the man who already had three, other contracts on hand. The men say this sort of thing is becoming acute, and in view of the ruling at Waihi they deeline to be overridden in this matter, and f left' the district to seek workelsowhore. As it is, they contend that, being determined to secure the contract, they, put in for it at sixpenco a'foot loss than the price at which .the work could bo done-at a-payable price. They decided to leave, while the* other men )who remain at Blackwater. have, as announced yesterday, ceased working.