THE WEST COAST MINES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19066, 11 January 1924, Page 6

THE WEST COAST MINES.

MINERS RATIFY AGREEMENT. PROSECUTIONS TO BE WITHDRAWN: (Vsom Oca Own Cossbspondekt.) WELLINGTON, January 10. A telegram from Westport announced that all the mines were to start work to-day, but up to the present no advice whether a start has actually been made has come to hand. The probabilities are, however, that the mines are working again, the agreement having been ratified by the miners. In accordance with the decision of the Cabinet, the prosecutions against both thirties will be withdrawn on Mondav if the trouble has ended by that day. Four months have elapsed sine© the mines first ceased to operate. The details of the voting on the ouestion of ratification are as follows: — For. Against Denniston 126 0 Millerton „ 219 4 Ngakawau 38 29 Blackball _ 88 45 Koa 0 16 Totals ... ._ ... 470 97 There are about 1300 members of the affected unions, so that more than half of the miners failed to record their vote. FINAL POINTS SETTLED. EARLY RESUMPTION OF WORK. (Pee United P-eess Association.) GREYMOUTH, January 10. Following the ratification by the unions of the agreement reached on Saturday last at the conference at Reefton there remained a few unsettled minor points at the Denniston and Roa mines. A final settlement was effected at Denniston on Wednesday, while after several conferences the disputed points at Koa were settled to-day. The position, therefore is now that the way is clear for an early resumption of work at the five mines affected by the stoppage. The indications are that a resumption generally will take place on Monday. A number of miners have been away, from the coalfields, and these men have now been advised to return in time for the resumption of next week. The miners at a West Coast Council meeting at Westport on Saturday will clear up any final business preparatory to the resumption of work. THE STOCKTON MINE. AN INAUSPICIOUS START. BRAKESMAN ON COMPANY’S TRAIN ~KTTJ.Fr) (Pee United Peess Association.) WESTPORT, January 10. The resumption of work to-day at tie Stockton mine after a protracted spell of idleness due to die industrial trouble was attended by a sad fatality, the brakesman on the company’s motor train being killed just about the close of the day’s work. Particulars are not available as to how the accident happened—whether the deceased jumped off the train or fell off. but it is understood that death was instantaneous. The deceased —Treyton (Tommy) Potter—* was 32 years of age, and was a returned soldier, the son of a fanner at Cape Foulwind. He was a married man with on© child. In consequence of this fatality and the following day being pay Saturday at Stockton, the mine will be idle for the rest of the week. The Westport Coal Company’s Millerton mine resumed working to-day, and the company’s Denniston mine will begin work tomorrow.