ANOTHER SERIOUS DEVELOPMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 29

ANOTHER SERIOUS DEVELOPMENT.

STEAMERS LAID UP. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, January 5. To-day the Northern Coal Company paid off the men employed in its coastal fleet, and altogether it is expected that between 25 and 30 boats will remain idle while the mines at Kirihaka and Hikurangi are closed. All hands are being paid off, and the boats will be anchored out in midstream while the mining trouble continues. With the Taupiri and Northern collieries lying idle, Auckland suddenly finds its coal supply lessened to the extent ot about 5000 tons per week. Fortunately stocks are well in hand, so that the pinch will not be felt at once. Supplies will fcave to be maintaned from Westport and

Newcastle. There is jit present no suggestion that an increase in the price of coal will be the outcome of the difficulty, and it is hoped that with an early cessation of the deadlock the inconvenience will be at an end. The laying-up of the coal fleet is a serious matter to both masters and men. Roughly speaking the loss to the masters ! per boat will amount to about £50 per j month, and at least t'roni 150 to 250 men I will be thrown out of employment. So far as the Waiotahi mine is concerned, it would appear that the men were in communication with their manager, and could therefore take the necessary protective steps. In other companies the procedure would no doubt have been similar had they been in a position to do it, but as most of the managers were on holiday leave negotiations between the companies and their officials at the mines 1 were interrupted. ! " Tile matter is more one of coal than of gold," said a well-known mining man this morning, " for if we can't get the coh] the gold supply will have to stop too." , ihe secretary of the Kuranui Calej donian Gold Mining Company (Mr H. ' Gilfillan, jun.) has received a message from the manager stating that the Miners' . Union has decided not to submit to 1 medical examination. Regarding the ■ Kapanga, Old Hauraki, and Royal Oak 1 Companies, Mr Gilfillan has received ' medical certificates for most of the ein--1 ployees, and the insurance companies are accepting these certificates, and taking the risks in terms of the circular which was sent out.