COLLIERY CLOSES

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1933, Page 2

COLLIERY CLOSES

THE END OF THE WARO MINE

MEN DO NOT APPEAR FOR WORK

(Per Press Association—Copyright).

AUCKLAND, November 29

Waro' mine (Wilson’s) is unlikely to operate again. The co-op party’s committee, headed by Mr T. MeGlashan last evening decided in pulling out the pumps. The committee gave an ultimatum to withdraw the pumps, unless sufficient men turned up to work the mine. As soon as the time limit was up, the committee started to draw five pumps. The miners were given until four o’clock to return to work yesterday, but got their tools and kits from the mine. At 4 p.m., the safety men were withdrawn. Tlie five pumps were uncoupled and withdrawn several chains. That is the end of the mine, for it is flooded in the lower dips, and heavy rain to-day will cause a big inflow with the pumps out. This will mean that one hundred men, many of them married, will be unemployed. Numbers have already registered. Tlie pumps aild rails’ are to be taken frtim the Colliery within a fortnight. Portland Cement Coy., state there ate erioiigli edat stdckS at tile c§fliettt works to last a ilidntli; The eolilpatty will ndt iiiiport. from Australia, as plenty Is available in New Zealand. It is not thought that the closure of the Waro colliery will endanger Hikurangi mine, if the latter is equipped to cope with extra water. The question is whether the Hikurangi company will be able to finance the necessary equipment.