BLACKBALL MINE

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 July 1941, Page 3

BLACKBALL MINE

MR. WEBB'S CONFIDENCE. WELLINGTON, July 13. Quoting the production of 750 tons of coal for the first week since the Blackball Mine was acquired as a State mine, the Minister for Mines (Mr Webb) said in an interview on Saturday that on that output the mine would more than pay its way. When all the men necessary were employed on development work, production would be gradually increased, and he was confident that Blackball would be asset-producing for the State. Although a considerable amount of non-coal producing work had been done in preparing for greater output in the future, production had increased steadily, the Minister said. It amounted to 186 tons on Friday, as against 170 tons on the Thursday. Before purchasing the mine ho was informed that if the State could depend on a daily production of 150 tons, the miners would make good wages, in fact, better wages than they had ever earned at Blackball.

Questioned on the price paid for the mine and township property, Mr Webb replied: “The price was a very reasonable one. It included the purchase of the whole of the Blackball Company’s property 0f,28 houses and the freehold of 1700 acres of land on which the township is built. The Blackball Company definitely made a big sacrifice, in the hope of persuading the Government to keep .the town going. But before going into the details of the price, I will discuss the question with the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr Nash), who may then make a statement.” The life and prosperity of Blackball was assured, Mr Webb said, and he questioned whether a happier community could be found anywhere. The men were now all. engaged on a contract basis and were earning better wages than .ever before in Blackball. The men assured him they would not let- him down, and they had justified that assurance by the manner in which they had aaoptcd the team spirit of work. They were fortunate in having such a splendidly equipped and laid out mine. On the mechanical side the Blackball mine was the most modern in New Zealand, and the company and its manager (Mr J. G. Quinn) had given the mining industry of the country a real service by installing such up-to-date equipment. The mine had produced 4,500,000 tons oi coal, and to have closed it down would have meant ruination to the town and a definite loss to the district, the Minister said. He also emphasised that the need for coal was great. P.A.