BLACKBALL FIRE

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 February 1923, Page 8

BLACKBALL FIRE

oENQUIRY TO BE HELD. When Air H. E. Holland, M.P., wrote to the Minister of Alines, supporting the miners’ demand for an investigation into the recent outbreak of fire in the Blackball mine, he expressed ihe opinion that there seemed to be some reluctance on the part of the Department to agree to an inquiry. Mr Holland has now received the following letter from the Minister, dated January 27: — “Sir,-—Re recent fire at Blackball Colliery. —With further reference to your letter of the 12th instant, and in continuation of my interim reply <>i 17th idem, regarding the above mentioned matter, T have since perused I he Department's file of papers and find •at on the 22nd ultimo the Inspector of Alines wrote to the Permanent Head of the Department, forwarding copies ol correspondence which had passed between the secretary of the Blackball Aiiners’ Union and himself regarding the recent fire, and asking to be advised if the Department desired an in, quiiy. After looking up the provisions of the law. and carefully considering the matter, the Permanent Head instructed the Inspector of Alines to institute a careful inquiry, and for such purpose to ascertain the views of the Union and the Colliery Management. A report has since come to hand from the Inspector of Alines, which is being re. ferrod to the Chief Inspector of Coal Alines for an expression of opinion. You will therefore! see from the above that there is no hesitation on the part of the Department to hold an inquiry as desired by the Union.”