RAND MINERS’ HALL

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 January 1925, Page 5

RAND MINERS’ HALL

BURNED DURING STRIKE

UNION SEEKS TO RECOVER

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 17.

The burning of the Benoni Workers’ Hall, the revolutionaries’ headquarters during the Rand revolt, in March, 1922, is still engaging the attention of those concerned.

Recently attempts have been made to fix the responsibility for the burning on Major Ford, the officer commanding the Transvaal Scottish, a regiment which actively participated in the suppression of the outbreak.

To-day the South African Mine Workers’ Union instructed its solicitors to demand from Major Ford immediate payment of approximately £12.897. representing damage as the result of the destruction of the hall.

The demand adds that unless payment is made by December IS a summons will he issued forthwith. Interviewed. Major Ford said he had referred the demand to the Government. It is now stated that three weeks ago- an order for Major Ford to appear in the Renoni Police Court to answer a charge of having burnt down the hall was suddenly countermanded. It is understood that this wa<s followed bv a- conference at Pretoria, but nothing has been disclosed. It is presumed the Government has drooped the matter, leaving the Miners’ Union to bring a civil action.