PUBLIC PROTEST AT WESTPORT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 63, 15 March 1906, Page 2

PUBLIC PROTEST AT WESTPORT.

WESTPORT, March 12. A public meeting .was held at Westport to-night to consider what steps should be taken to Effect an improvement in the output of coal from the Seddonville State mine. The JMaybr presided. A deputation from Seddonville laid its views before the meeting. It was stated that the mine :had-hot been worked more than! half-time sirtce its inception, and since the beginning of the present year • had only worked thirty days two hours. Resolutions were carried .as follows:—(1) That this public meeting urge upon the Government the necessity _ of■;■' expeditiously working the Seddonville coal-mine, the present method of working oAly a few days a week being a great injustice to the miners at Seddonville and the whole of this district, and also to the coal-consumers- of the colony;':(2) that the comnjercial method of dealing with the sale ,€f Seddonville poal is unsatisfactory, and requires complete reorganisation, and this meeting urges "the opening of agencies in Wellingtoh and other centres'-'of the^'Cblbtiy. under the Mines Department for the sole sale of Seddonville coal; (3) that this meeting strongly recommends that the f .o.b. price, Westport, or in the'trucks at Seddonville, be advertised in the chief colonial papers; (4) that as the Seddonville mine is easily >worked, arid can produce two.;- thousand tons per week of first-class coal, it seems strange, considering that the largest mine -in the district is about to put on1 a double shift, that the Seddonville coal cannot be sold at'payable prices, the former Cardiff Company having found ready sale for similar coal.