UNEMPLOYED AT GREYMOUTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4991, 2 May 1884, Page 3

UNEMPLOYED AT GREYMOUTH.

STRANDING OF THE ORETI. GREYMOUTH, Mat 1. Of the 75 men employed in connection with harbour works, over 50 have been discharged. The remainder retained are mostly of a superior and higher paid class, such as overseers and those employed in the machine shop. A few were working to-day, bringing down stone to secure the tip-head, while the works are stopped. A deputation representing the Borough and County, and including the Mayor and member for the district, have gone to interview Government in respect to the stoppage of harbour works. Most of the men discharged have families. As times are dull here now, in consequence of several avenues for obtaining employment having become either closed or considerably narrowed, some distress is not unlikely to occur during winter. A preliminary inquiry into the stranding of the Oreti was held this morning, before the Collector of Customs (MrWoon), and the evidence of Captain Robertson, the harbour master, and chief officer was taken. According to the evidence of Capl--tain Robertson, when steaming in dead slow, the lowest cast of the lead gave 13ft. He did not take in a full load of coal, in order that he might have no difficulty in getting into Hokitika, but as he was anxious to get there by a certain time, and thought there was an abundance of water on the bar, he went about two hours befoie high water, which resulted in the vessel striking on the ridge, and in another quarter of an hour the roll set her on the north beach, where she still remains, but little the worse for her mishap. Tenders have been called for floating the vessel; one will be accepted this evening.