ROYALTY ON COAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 671, 24 May 1929, Page 7

ROYALTY ON COAL

MINERS SEEK CONCESSIONS PARTIES TO WORK OUTCROPS (From Our Own Correspondent) WHANGAREI, Today. i A deputation of Hikurangi miners j waited on the Hobson County Council j yesterday with proposals for the work- j ing of coal at Avoca, near Tangowahine, where a reef of outcrops can be operated from ground level. It is said that a large amount of coal is available. The deputation, headed by Mr. H. Fearnly, endeavoured to secure a reduction in royalty charged for cartage over the council’s roads. This suggestion was not sympathetically received, and the deputation then asked that the council supply metal. which would be laid by the miners themselves on the half-mile between the main road and mine. The council decided that the royalty of 6d a ton a mile, provided in the bylaws, should stand. “The council must think first of the ratepayers, who rated themselves to provide loans to build the existing roads,” said the chairman, Mr. V. Trounson. Conditions at Hikurangi are much brighter than might be expected, considering that over 200 men were discharged when the shaft was closed down at the Hikui-angi mine, where pumping operations ceased last week. A large number of these men have been absorbed by Wilsons Collieries, and many have formed parties which are working small interests on their own account. About 60 remain unemployed. The directors of the Hikurangi Coal Company and Wilsons Collieries held a conference with the Mines Department in Auckland over the week-end to discuss the position which has arisen m the industry. Until their decision is made known nothing definite can be done regarding the Avoca proposals. Mr. C. Latham, secretary of the -Miners’ Union, states that whatever action is taken the situation at i-liku-rangi will not b© affected, as under the Coal Mining Act licences will not be granted to private parties exceeding four. Although for individuals, there may be prospects at Avoca, the Miners’ Union does not consider the prospects are good enough to warrant its participation in the scheme. Had it done so a manager would .probably have been installed.