DOBSON MINE DISPUTE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 119, 16 April 1930, Page 12

DOBSON MINE DISPUTE.

INQUIRY CONCLUDED. Per Press Association. . GitEVMOUTH, April 14. The inquiry 'was concluded to-night regarding tne Dobson mine dispute. The ooard decided to suspend for a -period ot three months the deputy regarding whom allegations .were, made by.-tne union, and conveyed to tho Minister of Mines by the West Coast Miners’ Council. The alligations were to tho effect that • a great discrepancy existed between the deputy’s reports as to the quantity of- gas in the rise workings and the quantity tound there by workmen’s inspectors and, the mine’s inspectors, and that the deputy was unfit to hold a deputy’s ticket. The board was set up by the Minister under section 57 of the Coal Mines Act, and consisted of Messrs W. H. Woodward, S.M., (chairman), J. Watson (superintendent of the Taupiri Mines), and J. Smeaton (president of the United Mine . Workers). Evidence was heard from miners engaged in the place in question, union and mine officials, and mines’ inspectors and went to show that gas was present all the time in a largo quantity, whereas the deputy reported 30ft. only in the “goof.” , ' The verdict was as follows: “A' majority of the court finds that the deputy, William Chetwynd, was guilty of negligence on Tuesday, March 11, 1930, in the performance of the duty laid on himself by regulation 103 of the. Mines Act, and we are satisfied that his-Lbreach of duty was not due to cowardice. The evidence gives us no reason to think that he is habitually careless in the discharge-.of v -his. 4 u t* es - His ticket is suspended for three months. Mr- Watson desires, to .recqrd his dissent o"n the ground that'Chotwynd’s action did not, in his •opinion create a source of danger to the min in,(he mine.” , -