WALLSEND MINE

Grey River Argus, 23 September 1944, Page 3

WALLSEND MINE

SAFETY, PRECAUTIONS (To the Editor). Sir, —The members of my Union desire to have published the following resume of what has transpired in connection with the shaft and winding engine at this mine, as it is felt that the accounts that have been published to date have not given the reading public the full facts of the case. Indeed they glossed over tne dangerous-occurrence that led to the mine being idle this last three days. The Wallsend mine has lost more time in the last four months than had been lost in the previous four years, with one exceptional period at the beginning of the year. That there is a reason for this loss of time I will endeavour to show. The Wallsend shaft is not fitted with any safety devices at present. The rope of the steel-constructed wire has a factor of safety well above the greatest weight carried; but the utmost, precaution should be taken to cut down to a minimum the always present potential danger, the accumulative effect; that examinations called for by the Union, have to be borne in mind and considered when determining whether or not the men are justified in their present action. About four months ago the Union called for an examination of the timber used in the construction of the poppet heads. The examination showed so serious a condition that the manager knocked the mine idle whilst the main props were taken out and replaced with some timber. Other parts in a similarly bad state were left to be taken out when there would be no hold up of production. Six weeks ago, the brakes of tlie winding engine were such that the Union had to insist that adjustments had to be made immediately,, so that the mine could carry, on. Within a week it was again left to the Union to bring to light another serious fault. On the Sunday morning the Union was informed that the winding rope, was badly worn, and needed to be replaced, and it was decided to contact the management that day so that a new rope could be fitted, and the mine ready to haul coal on Monday. An examination of the rope by the Government Inspector confirmed th e Union’s contention, and the change was completed in time lor work on Monday. There was the incident last week, when due to a broken guide rail m the shaft, and the cage coming oif the guide, the men were kept down below for just on an hour and a half after the time to knock off. Then this week, on Wednesday morning, when the second cage of men were descending, the cage became fast in the shaft, about 140 feet below the surface. Asked for details the men concerned said that following two severe jolts the cage became fast, and tipped over on one end, the men getting thrown off their feet, and one man was said to be almost thrown out of the cage. The chains fastening the cage to the rope rattled on to the top of the cage before the engineman could stop the engine, and it was apparent to all who saw the men come off the cage when it was brought back to the surface that the men had received a considerable shock. And who wouldn’t? To come to a sudden stop and know that the cage had become fast about five hundred feet up the shaft, and no clear idea of what has happened, would give ordinary mortals a shod;. I would like to see the reactions of the tough guy who regarded the accident as trivial, under similar conditions. The men retired to the bathroom, to discuss the matter, whilst the cage and shaft were examined. It was found that a new rubbing strip had been inserted on the runners, making the runners too tight to pass through the shaft when the guide rails were a bit thicker ■than the others. It was not just a coincidence that the cage on which the accident happened was the same cage that had caused the trouble the previous week. Ever since this cage has been put on it has caused trouble, and the men who have travelled on it have complained for a long time of the way it has been running. The blacksmith has been working on the spare cage overhauling it so that ■it could be put on as soon as possible. As a matter of fact the cage was to be changed this week-end. The men decided that' the Manager be requested to change the cage that day. It was felt that there would be less likelihood of any further incidents or accidents if the new cage, was put on. The request was thrown, out, on the grounds that the Union was dictating and trying to run the mine. When adjustments are required, and renewals of winding ropes are required; when the poppet heads require rotting timber to be taken out and replaced with sound timber; it we demand that the shaft cage be examined thoroughly every niorning before the men go down the mine, as should be done to meet the requirements of the Coal Mmes Act, if the Union, in the interests of safety have had to take these steps, and are told that we are like little boys crying out for green apples, and are on another occasion likened to dictators using the whip on the defenceless management, it makes one wonder what the conditions would be it there were no Union. Secretary.

Inangahua Miners

(To the Editor). qi r With your permission I would like to reply to a letter appearing in Tuesday’s “Argus” concerning the Inangahua Gold and Coal Miners and the Burke’s Creek Unions. I her e are several points in Mr E. Chandler’s letter which are very contusing to one of my intelligence. He 'states, on comparing the agreements of the above mentioned trade Unions, that the former has a hewing rate of fourpence a ton more than the latter and that by amalgamating with the Inangahua Miners’ Union, Burke’s Creek would be offered the higher rate. I would like Mr Chandler to explain how and why the Burke’s Creek Company would be compelled to pay the higher rate if his proposed amalgamation took place. For example, in the Grey Valley we have the Runanga State Miners’ Union, consisting of members from two mines, namely the Liverpool and the Strongman; those mines being situated not many miles apart, and tonange rates, in one being considerably higher than the other, and this being justified by the harder nature of the Strongman coal. I might also state that Burke’s Creek hewing rates compare, favourably with any to be found in the Grey Valley. I see, also, that Mr Chandler is very familiar with that old trade union slogan: “United we stand, divided we fall”; and, in my opinion, seeing that the Burke’s Creek miners are affiliated With the United Mine Workers of New Zealand (.as are all mines of any importance), their chance of-falling are very remote. Under the National Agreement, wages men at Burke’s Creek will be naid over 28s per shift; and I am led to believ.e that, though outstanding money is earnt on contract in the one remaining gold mine in the Inangahua district,, wages men are still paid the disgraceful .amount of 21s 9d per shift —and this in the deepest mine in New Zealand, and where that dreaded occupational disease, known as Silicosis, is so easily contracted. Here would be a happy hunting ground for one concerned about the raising of conditions of his fellow miners, because no class oR worker in this country deserves high'

wages and good conditions more than the quartz miner, who scarifices his health to swell the profits of a company. In conclusion I would like Mr Chandler to enlighten us on the many other concessions that space did not permit him to touch in his original letter, and also name the mines where they operate, because if better conditions than those enjoyed by members of the United Mme .Workers are in existence othe Coast I have yet to hear about them. I. am, etc., GREY VALLEY UNIONIST.