CO-OPERATIVE MINING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17329, 28 November 1919, Page 6

CO-OPERATIVE MINING.

WESTPORT PROPOSAL. SOLDIER SHAREHOLDERS. MEN TO OWN AND WORK MINE. [BY TELEGRAPH CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday. At a meeting of the Canterbury District Repatriation Board a letter was received from the secretary of the Westport Returned Soldiers' Association, Mr. vv. H. Armstrong, regarding a proposed cooperative coalmining scheme. The writer stated that a lease of 1000 acres of mineral land was available, s.'x miles from Westport. The seam was nine feet thick, and an analysis showed the coal to be of a high calorific value. There was easy access to timber for a!) mining purpose*. The Railway Department had a line connecting with Westport, which rantmuugT the property. The association had a parly of 20 practical miners ready to take up the work, in charge of a qualified mining engineer. If the board was in favour of the scheme, th 0 association could find another 40 good men locally. The writer knew also of a large number of returned soldiers who were practical miners and who would not return to their old occupation with the mining companies, as there was too- much of the "goslow" and other dissension there. If they were given this opportunity of becoming shareholders in a mine they would work. Mr. Armstrong concluded with a suggestion to the beard that if it thought anything of the proposal, a member should be sent to Westport on a v.sit of inspection. The letter was received, the chairman stating that Mr. T. Charters, repatriation officer, would be visiting the Coast next week and would submit a reply to the board on his return.