MINERS SEEK WORK

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1929, Page 4

MINERS SEEK WORK

PROPOSALS FOR AVOOA.

INDIVIDUALS NOT UNION,

CONDITIONS AT HIKURANGI.

A deputation of Hikurangi miners waited on the Hobson County Council yesterday with proposals for the working of coal at Avoca, near Tangowahine, where reef outcrops can bo operated from the ground level. It is said that a large amount of coal is available.

The deputation, headed by Mr H. Pcaraly, endeavoured to secure a reduction in the royalty charged for cartage over the council’s roads. This suggestion was not sympathetically received, and the deputation, then asked that the council supply metal, which would be laid by the miners themselves on the half-mile between" the main road and the mine.

Conditions at Hikurangi are much brighter than they might be, considering that over 200 men were discharged when the shaft closed down at the Hikurangi mine, whore pumping operations ceased last week. A large number of those have been absorbed by Wilson’s Collieries and many have formed parties which arc working small interests on their own account. About (50 remain unemployed. The directors of the Hikurangi Coal Company and Wilson’s Collieries held a conference with the Mines Department in Auckland over the week-end to discuss the position which has arisen in the industry. Until the decision is made known nothing definite can be done.

Regarding the Avoea proposals, Mr C. Latham, secretary of the Miners’ Union, states that whatever action is taken the situation at Hikurangi will not be affected, as under the Coal Mining Act licenses will not be granted to private parties exceeding four. Although for individuals there may bo prospects at Avoea, the Miners ’ Union does not consider there are sufficient prospects to warrant its participation. Had it done so, a manager would probably have been installed.