COAL FOR UNEMPLOYED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21540, 11 July 1933, Page 11

COAL FOR UNEMPLOYED

USE OF MINE GIVEN HUNTLY SCHEME APPROVED GRANT OF £SO FOR EQUIPMENT [by TELEGRAPH OWN correspondent] HUNTLY, Monday A scheme for the free supply of coal to unemployed in the district was discussed when a deputation of unemployed waited on Mr. J. S. Jessep, deputy-chairman of the Unemployment Board, and Mr. W. Slaughter, officer in charge of the Labour Bureau of the Auckland district, at Huntly to-day. Mr. D. S. Reid, M.P. for Raglan, who had made representations to the Unemployment Board on behalf of the Iluntly unemployed, and Mr. W. Barclay, inspector of mines, were present.

Mr. J. A. King, on behalf of the Unemployed, proposed the working of a mine in Huntly South, known as Lament's mine, which is situated on a property vested in the Auckland University College Endowment Trust. Messrs. D. Weir, C. Starr and J. Porteous represented the Endowment Trust Board.

It was stated that through the courtesy of the owners the local unemployed had been given the use of the mine to be worked by themselves and the coal to be distributed among the unemployed in the Huntly district, who now totalled about 350.

The purpose of the meeting was to ask the Unemployment Board for a grant of £SO with which to obtain tools and equipment to open up the mine.

The deputation received a sympathetic hearing, and after a lengthy discussion between all parties, Mr. Jessep acceded to the request for £SO, the Unemployment Board also to pay insurance on the workers.

The scheme, which is to be given three months' trial, was approved by Mr. Barclay on the assurance that an overseer woidd be appointed.