IMPORTANT NEWS FROM WESTPORT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 907, 19 July 1889, Page 34 (Supplement)

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM WESTPORT.

(from OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.'.: Westport, Julyisf.. Mr Brown, a gentleman conoec'ced wifb the Westport- gakawau Coal Company, arrived this morning by the Mahinapua from Sydney on an important mission,. H 6 will undertake the erection of coke, ovens, at Ngakawau, and is empowered to make arrangements with the Government for. the provision of suitable accommodationfor the shipment of coke from this port. He' will make inquiries as to the facilities available for the erection of smelting works totreat ore brought here as back cargo from t Port Pirie. I had an interview with Mr * Brown this afternoon, when he courteously * confirmed the information given. Mr Brown >- says that it is very questionable whether - it would pay better to manufacture cokehere and ship it to Port Pirie, or export • coal to that port, and there convert it into * coke. Readers must understand that coke - is used for smelting the products of the Great' Barrier silvermines. Mr Brown says that - it is all a question of railway charges ; and shipping facilities, and in connection •- with these matters he is now making; inquiries as to the proposal to establish i smelting works here for the purpose of " treating the Great Barrier ores in olose j proximity to the coalfields. Mr Brown speaksi very highly and encouragingly,- using the expression, “that suoh an industry wouicE make Westport the Swansea of New Zealand.” Inquiries will of course have to b'' made as to the possibility of obtaining mate-'" i for the various fluxes required, bu<Brown thinks the industry is one v J rely on eventually being 'establir* '*? Tl; Brown will remain in the : n f e< T months. .ict for three

Mr Luckie, a delegate Sr ■ .. ton Coal Miners’ Aesocia*' jm . Brunnerdistrict on business conr is visiting t e difficulty at Brunnitr cted Wlfch la . b ? ur on Wednesday last ■ went to Denmston with the Uni©' and had a long conference thoroughly end J Executive there, who mouth mine orsed fche actlo “ o£ fche Gre y' reduction ' ra m resisting the attempted pillar coy' on P 1 "* 003 paid for getting out all tb' -I, and pledged the locked-out men night 0 support in their power. Last 3£ r . Mr McLuskie, accompanied by Q r Lomas, attended a good meeting a the Cape Foul wind Labour Union. Mr James Barrowmaa (President) occupied the chair. Mr McLuskie gave a full statement of the existing troubles at Brunner, after which Mr Lomas addressed the meeting at some length, dealing with the various difficulties affecting the labour t market on the Coast just now. He pointed out the necessity of the Greymouth miners and the miners in this district coming nearer together. He showed the advantages of an even closer affinity between the labourers and the ’ miners on the West Coast. He hoped shortly to see the day when the iufluence of i these trade and labour organisations would be felt for good in every part of the Colony. i The meeting voted asumof £3O to the lockedout men, with a pledge to render further i help in the shape of regular levies. The Denniston Branch has sent £45. Messrs McLuskie and Lomas left by the Kennedy i this afternoon for Greymouth.