THE DENNISTON MINERS.

West Coast Times, Issue 9031, 29 April 1891, Page 4

THE DENNISTON MINERS.

The following letter from the secretary of the Miners' Association of Denniston, New Zealand, has been forwarded by Mr Spence to the various branches of the Amalgamated Miners' Association of Australasia : — "Dear Sir,— l am sorry to inform you | that our union on the Hill has collapsed, When wo wired you that things were going satisfactorily, and that a number of non-union laborers were joining — truly thoy did join vs — but when the manager asked them to sign an agreement not to bo in any union while in the company's employment thoy signed it. Also, there are about four non-union laborers to one old hand, and a number of our owu men seceded from us, no doubt from the state of the colony and other reasons of their own. The meeting montioned in my last letter was thinly attended, but the night was rough, and a number of men were told off to canvass old and new hands working at coal, and only 49 names were on the list when it came back out of the 225 non-union laborors and 83 old hands. Fifteen of thoso who signed were nonunion laborers. The committee thereupon thought it unwise for a few men to sacrificethemsclves. As to us, itappeared that that was all that could be done by the few coming out. The committee thinking so, the vice-president and myself went to the manager and told him that he might consider the union down. I can't tell you how sorry I am at it, more especially as Mr Lomas is away pleading on our behalf. I don't know whether you will be inclined to blame us or not, but, for myself, I could see nothing in men leaving their work to accomplish nothing. It seemed to be only making bad worse when we consider those who are out already. We only wish Mr Lomas had been hero at this time, but he could not be in two places at one time. The truckers at the time amongst themselves started an agitation to get the wages they had before the strike, and all of them got 14 days' notice along with 16 men at the coal. Some of them will get back to work and some won't. The committee propose trying to scrape as much money together as will take those men that are out of work away, perhaps, to New South Wales, as we hear they are busy there. Much regretting the circumstances, I remain, yours faithfully, William Henderson, Secretary."

Agent wanted, (to purchftse outright and tock) by leading English mnkor of sheep dip, fluid and powders.) Reliable article, used extoneivcly. Low prices and liberal terms to a house with suitable connection for a good trade.— Hamilton and Co., Wandsworth,