5

H.—52

Saturday next being the last working-day for the collieries unless the reductions asked are conceded, and from the attitude adopted by their unions I confess I have great fears of them doing so, or, at all events, to such extent as will at all meet the difficulty. In view of the whole circumstances, I trust the Government and the Railway Commissioners may be able to suggest a means to enable our company to keep the collieries working with some assurance of assistance as suggested to meet the difficulty, pending the result of negotiations, .should the notice for stoppage be postponed to a future date. I have, &c, M. Kennedy, Managing Director, Grey Valley Coal Company. The Hon. the Premier, Wellington. [Approximate Cost of Taper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,200 copies), £2 18s.]

By Authority : Geoege Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9o.

2—H. 52.