MINISTERS ON TOUR.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 24 April 1913, Page 5

MINISTERS ON TOUR.

MR FRASER IN WESTLAND.

BY TELEGEAPH—PEES? A.BBOCIATIOH. CHRISTCHURCH. April "23. The Hon. W. Fraser, Minister of Public Works, travelled from Lyttelton to the Cass by train yesterday, and traversed the railway line under construction from -the Ca6s to Bealey Flat with the engineer-in-chief and the resident engineer. He then went by-buggy to the Otira tunnel, arriving at 6 o'clock. After dinner the party entered the tunnel, going right to the working face, two miles and four chains from the entrance. They watched with interest the drilling operations in progress. The visit occupied over two hours. This morning a deputation from the West Coast Miners' Union waited on the Minister and asked for several modifications of the working conditions and increases in the rates of pay. Mr Fraser agreed to allow forty minutes each day for men going to the faces at Otira, and ten minutes for men at the Bealey end. He also agreed to pay ordinary overtime at rate and a quarter, and rate and a half for Sundays or holidays. The Minister declined to authorise preference of employment for unionists. : Minor requests will be referred to the resident engineer. Mr Fraser left the Otira to-day for Kumara. He will reach Hokitika tomorrow, and visit Ross and the neighborhood on Friday. He will afterwards visit Greymouth and Reef ton.