THE WARO COLLIERY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21291, 19 September 1932, Page 12

THE WARO COLLIERY

PUMPING TO CONTINUE

ARRANGEMENT FOR TWO WEEKS

PAYMENT BY CEMENT COMPANY

[from OUR. OWN correspondent]

WHANGAREI, Saturday

The position regarding tho Waro Cooperative Collieries, Limited, at Hikurangi, has undergono a change, and the pumps will be kept going by the men for another two weeks to enable the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates to become acquainted with the position in a final endeavour to provide some assistance to carry on. Tho urgent telegram received by the directors of the colliery yesterday afternoon from Mr. Charles Rhodes, deputychairman of Wilson's Collieries, Limited, read as follows: —

" Confirming my telephone conversation with you, Wilsons Colliery hereby require you to deliver up to Mr. T. H. Wilson, of Portland, as agent for the company, the mine and premises in terms of clause 16 of your sub-lease, except that in lieu of delivery on the surface of underground plant and equipment, as required by the said clause, the company now elects to accept the same in the position in which they are now erected in the mine, and does hereby relievo you of "any further responsibility in respect thereof. " This notice is given in the interests of the continuance of the Hikurangi coalfield, and with a view to enabling further representations to be made for assistance to deal as one unit with the water at present endangering the Hikurangi and Waro mines. We think.you and all the public must agree that this is in the best interests of the Hikurangi community."

Coinciding with the arrival of tho telegram, Mr. T. H. Wilson arrived at the mine and offered to place tho men required for pumping operations on the payroll of Wilsons (N.Z.) Portland Cement, Limited, during the two weeks, at tho award rate of pay. This offer was placed before the men at a special meeting this morning and they decided to accept it. Only a small staff will, be required in the pumping operations, but the work will be shared equally by the men, of whom there are over 170.

The small pump brought to the surface yesterday afternoon will be replaced in the mine on Monday and a commencement will also be made to hew coal for boiler and domestic purposes. The formal meeting to affirm the winding up of the company has been postponed for a fortnight. This meeting was to have been held next Thursday. While the men have accepted the offer of award rate of pay from Wilsons Cement Company for pumping operations, the mine and premises have not been handed over.