THE BLACKBALL TROUBLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2175, 27 April 1908, Page 2

THE BLACKBALL TROUBLE.

A POSSIBLE SETTLEMENT. Press Association. GREYMOUTH, April 25. A meeting of the Blackball Miners Union was held this morning, when tho president, Mr. Fox, handed in his resignation. The resignation was not accepted. It. is stated that Mr. Fox felt a slight in not being chosen to represent the Union in the conference to be held with the Blackball directors in Christchurch. It is rumored that a deputation of miners will wait on the manager to-day and submit further proposals for a settlement. The Hon. A. R. Guinness goes to Blackball ill the morning, it is alleged for the purpose of trying to effect a settlement. CONFERENCE WITH MINERS. NO SETTLEMENT ARRANGED. (Press Association.) . GREYMOUTH, April 26. The Hon. A. R. -Guinness visited ■Blackball on .Saturday, and had aconference with the miners regarding a settlement of the strike. As far as can lie ascertained, nothing was arrived -at, UNION PRESIDENT SUES FOR WRONGFUL DISMISSAL. The case in which Mr. Fox, president of the Blackball Miners’ Union, is suing the Blackball Coal Co. for £55 for wrongful dismissal, will be heard at Aliaura oil Wednesday. COLLECTION OF THE FINE. COURT ORDER ON UNION MEMBERS APPLIED -FOR. Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 26. Asked to-day to state the latest position with regard t 0 the -Blackball strikers, Dr. Findlay said that proceedings agaiust tho union by a warrant of distress had resulted-in the warrant being returned nulla bouo by the bailiff, the union having been found to have no funds to satisfy the distress under paragraph G of section 101 of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. The’Minister pointed out an application in such a case must ho made to the Arbitration Court, or the President thereof, for- an order directed against tho members of the union to pay the fine, the liability of each member being limited to £lO. This application must bo -made upon notice being given to the members of the union, notifying them of the intention to apply for the order in question. The place and date must also bo notified.

“I understand,” proceeded Dr. Fandlay, “that tho matter has been pushed forward by tlie Crown Solicitor at Greymoutli, and that notices have been served on the union members. The application will, I am informed, be lieard bv Mr. Justice Sim in Auckland this week. Should ho make an order, it will then be filed in the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth, and will have the effect of ‘a judgment of that Court. The same proceeduige would follow such an order as i£ it was a judgment of the Court in question. The procedure has to- bo strictly followed, and necessarily, as will bo seen, this involves some delav.