THE DISPUTE AT WESTPORT. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 10 July 1890, Page 24

THE DISPUTE AT WESTPORT. (From Our Own Correspondent.)

Westport, July 9. Nothing further has transpired regarding the proposed reduction of the rates on the Westport Coal Company's mine. Mr Waters, managing engineer, writes to the papers giving the exact facts of the case. He says the hewing price at Coalbrookdale is, for ordinary bords, 2u lOd per ton, and at this rate a good collier can make, and has made, 24s per day in top and bottom. The Coal Miners' Association consequently put restrictions in force limiting each man's output to five and a-half tons, which, at 2s 10d, reduces the wages earned to about 15s per day. This restriction reduces the output of coal by some 850 tons per fortnight, entailing a corresponding loss to all concerned. At the request of the mine manager the association postponed putting the restriction into force for a fortnight, in order to give time to obtain more colliers. This fortnight expired last Monday. The company served no notice on the men of a reduction of rate, they simply asked the association as reasonable men to consider if a reduction of Is per ton on top and bottom ooal and 6d on pillar coal was not a fair request, seeing that 15s per day could easily be earned at this reduced rate. He was ignorant of any difficulty existing at Grey when the request was made, and had no communication with Mr Kennedy directly or indirectly on the subject. Mr Bishop wired asking him to withdraw the notice, which he declined to do. Mr Waters says:— "Few who have had dealings with me will accuse me of trying to reduce wages. Thelabsurer is worthy of his hire, but I like an honest day's work for an honest day's wage."