191

C—3

[Average Output, etc.]

W. T.

Dear Sir, — Denniston, 4th August, 1890. I have been instructed to acquaint you that we desire to declare our idle day on Thursday, the 7th instant, if it will not inconvenience the company in any manner, as it would suit us to have it on that day owing to pressing business that we have to get done by a general meeting. If that will suit you, please let me know by to-morrow morning, and you will oblige, Yours, &c, W. Toeeance, Thomas Brown, Esq., Manager, Westport Coal Company. Secretary.

Dear Sir, — The Westport Coal Company (Limited), Westport, sth August, 1890. In reply to your note re idle day on Thursday, I fear it will inconvenience us to a vary great extent. The new boiler is not steaming satisfactorily, and our output, in consequence, is very small: in fact, unless an improvement is effected we shall not be able to get the average quantity this week by working full. Another reason I wish to urge for taking the idle time at the end of the week is to get a larger boiler and engine placed at Coalbrookdale. The least stoppage there cannot be made up, the present engine being too small. The idle time, and Sunday, would enable us to do this. Kindly give this favourable consideration, —it will prove beneficial to all, —and oblige, Yours, &c, Thomas Beown, The Secretary, Miners' Association, Denniston. Mine-manager.

Deae Sic, — Denniston, 12th August, 1890. This is to notify the management of the Westport Coal Company that Thursday, the 14th instant, will be an idle day for both shifts. I have, &c, W. Torrance, Thomas Brown, Esq., Manager. Miners' Secretary.

Dear Sir, — The Westport Coal Company (Limited), Westport, 20th August, 1890. With the present output the company is little more than paying expenses, while Newcastle coal is being imported in large quantities, thus damaging our present trade and laying a foundation for w 7 orse times in the immediate future. In Newcastle the miners are only working about half time, so they certainly will not refuse to supply the New Zealand market. I would therefore ask you to lay the question of taking off the restriction both per man and per week before the miners, as their present action can in no way help to settle the Greymouth dispute, for no person, however rich, can carry on a business that loses him £12,000 a year. I have, &c, Thomas Brown, Esq., Mine-manager, Coalbrookdale. Thomas J. Waters.

Dear Sic, — Denniston, 25th August, 1890. Owing to negotiations going on at the present time with a view to a settlement of the Brunner dispute, I beg to inform you that the committee of this Association postpone giving a reply to Mr. Waters's letters of the 20th instant, in reference to restriction per week, for a few days. And we are surprised at you asking us to consider restriction per man, when you know well that you are not giving the limit that was decided upon. Hence it will be time to consider this when you are able to supply more than the number of boxes per man that the constitution restricted, but not otherwise. I have, &c, W. Toerance, Thomas Brown, Esq., Manager. Miners' Secretary.

Pay ending Feb. 1, 1890 ... 15, March 1, „ „ 15, „ „ 29, „ April 12, „ „ 26, May 10, „ „ 24, , June 7, „ 21, ; July 5, „ 19 Tons cwt. qr. 7,094 3 3 9,200 10 0 8,618 8 2 9,789 3 2 7,807 14 2 8,217 2 0 6,972 18 1 6,691 5 1 7,733 7 0 8,574 9 3 8,605 5 2 6,596 19 3 6,624 13 1 Shifts. 16 21 20 21 17 19 16 15 17 22 20 15 15 Total tons 102,526 1 0 234 Tons per week ... Number of tons that came out last week 3,943 3,541 6 1 0 2 9 shifts per week. 8