HEALTH OF THE TOWN THREATENED.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 16 May 1912, Page 7

HEALTH OF THE TOWN THREATENED.

COAL SUPPLIES HELD UP. BY TELEGRAPH- -_ B.HSS ASSOCIATION. AVAIHI, May 16. A menace to the health of the town is threatened by the stoppage of pumping operations, as the congested part of the town is drained by a service of concrete channelling, into which washhouses, kitchens, ana urinals are drained, and the matter taken into the Ohmemuri river. The channels have been kept clear by diverting water from the mine into them; but to use the same amount of water from the borough service would reduce the town supply to a dangerous limit. The borough is doing its best to keep the channels sluiced out, but if the strijce continues for a length of time an epidemic may result. It is estimated that the money in circulation in Waihi is affected*by the strike to the extent of £6000 per week. The shift bosses and tally clerks are patrolling the mines night and day. Affairs at the neighbouring mining districts of Thames and Karangahake are reported to be quiet. The miners at both places belong to the Thames Miners' Union, and it is stated that a section pf the Karangahake, miners are showing a feeling of unrest^ in sympathy with the Waihi miners; but so far there are no serious indications of trouble. In reference to the stoppage of coal going to the Grand Junction mine, the Borough Council would have taken it to the gasworks, having been led to believe that no objection would be offered to its cartage. The Union, however, objected during its cartage, and the bulk of the coal had to remain. Efforts were then made by the Mayor to have the coal taken to the hospital, but the Union held it up. I