GREYMOUTH NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14461, 2 March 1909, Page 3

GREYMOUTH NOTES.

(From On: Owk Corkespondknt.) (IRKI'MOUTH, March 1. The State Colleries Miners' Union intends takinc; a ballot of its members this week in order to decide'whether registration under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration AcL shall bo cancelled or not. Kxcellent. progress continues to be made in connection with the Paparoa Colliery, which it is confidently anticipated will lie completed by July jiext, when active coal minim; operations will be commenced. At present some heavy machnery is being installed.

Mr Croll. accompanied by Mr Smith, of the Old Country, have just concluded all extended visit to tile coalfields in the Greyinnnth district, and is now in Westporl. Mr Oroll states that- coal mining is going ahead on an extensive scale in ine southern district. The St-.ite has entered on large extended! works in connection with the Point Elizabeth mine. At Paparoa work is also being carried out- on a large scale, a great viaduct being one of the special features of the undertaking. North Brunner is also going ahead. The visitors were surprised at the number of men employed in these back parts of tile country, both in connection with the mines and on the co-operative works. Fairly extensive townships hare been formed, the homes of the people there being chiefly tents at present, but likely to develop into something more substantial later.