THE STATE COAL MINE.

Evening Star, Issue 12760, 13 March 1906, Page 8

THE STATE COAL MINE.

At -a' publio meeting held at Westport last night, called to consider what steps should be taken, to effect an improvement in the output of coal from the Seddonville State mine, the mayor presided. A deputation from Seddonville laid *their views before the meeting. It was stated that the mine had not worked.more than, half-time since its inception, and since the beginning of the present year Had only -worked 30 dfeys 2 houiß. MucK dissatisfaction was expressed with the Wellington management, and resolutions were carried as follow : (1) • " That this public meeting urges upon. the Government the nece sity o* expeditiously working the Seddonville coal mine, the present methods of. working only a few days a week being a great injustice to miners at Seddonville and the whole of this district, and also to the coal consumers of the colony." (2) " That the. commercial methods of dealing with the sale of Seddonville coal is unsatisfactory,' and requires complete reorganisa-tioa, and this meeting urges the opening of agencies in Weffihgton and other chief centres of the colony, under the Mines Department, for the sole sale of Seddonville coal." (3) "That this meeting strongly recommends that f.o.b. price, Westport. or in the trucks at Seddonville, be advertised in the chief colonial papers." (4) " That as the Seddonville mine is easily worked and cao. produce 2,000 tons per week of first-class coal, it seems strange, considering the largest man© in the district is about putting on a double shift, that Seddonville coal cannot be sold at a payable price. The former Cardiff Company found ready sale for similar coaL"