THE GREY VALLEY COAL MINERS' DIFFICULTY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8862, 21 July 1890, Page 2

THE GREY VALLEY COAL MINERS' DIFFICULTY.

(Pub United Pbess Association.) Wellington, July 19. Mr Kennedy, the managing director of the Grey Valley Ccal Company, wrote to the Government asking them to suggest some way of averting the catastrophe of closing the mines, and suggesting a temporary suspension of the 6d per ton royalty and the Railway Commissioners allowing a reduction of railage. The Government replied as follows: —" The Government was previously aware of tho dispute between the miners and your company, upon the merits of which, however, it cannot offer any opinion, and while regretting exceedingly that any such dispute should have arisen, it is quite out of the power of the Government to assist the company by suspending the payment of royalty from the collieries. The Railway Commissioners also, to whom your letter wa3 referred, do not see their way to abate or reduce railwiy charges on haulage of coals from Brunnorton to Greymouth. Tbe only suggestion Government can make is that the matter be referred to arbitration."

Tho following telegram has been sent to Mr Bishop, the manager of the mines at Brnnner: — " All colliers are to be paid off on Monday, but they may work if the Miners' Association concede to the demand or refer to arbitration the amount of reduction to be made from hewing rates, award to date from Monday next. If the mine is stopped all hands to be paid off except pumping hands at Coalpit Heath, and those hands necessary for permanent work, unless waiting for Dunedin audit, which must confirm our statement. £100 either way does not affect the principle." Greymouth, July 20. The Brunner miners will not work on Monday, which will be devoted to a general meeting to consider the position.