TRADE & LABOUR NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 114, 13 May 1908, Page 8

TRADE & LABOUR NOTES.

i " • I (Secretaries of the various Unions are requested to forward copies of their Union to "Industrial Tramp," "Star" Office, nua n list of TJnion Jileetliigs will be furnished at the head of this Culuam for each weekj UNION MEETINGS FOE.' THE WEEK. This Evening, May 13 — Trades and Uibour Council; Moulders' Special MeetTimrsdny, May 14 — Engine Drivers; Grocers (Committee). Friday, ilay 10 — Builders' Labourers (Special)-, Electrical "Workers. Saturday, May 16 — Fish Curers; Beamsuien (Committee). - Monday, Hay IS — Cabmen (Annual): Quar-l-ymen. Tnesdaj. May 10 — Plumbers. ift'edaesday, May 20 — Waterside Workers. Industrial disputes being heard at the Arbitration Court this week. The Auckland Klectric Tramways' Em> ployees' Union are already taking time by the forelock, and have appointed a sub-coinniittee to revise their award, wiicii does not expire till INcveinber Ist next. All branches of workmen in the company's employ, who are not working under any award of the Court will be included in the next award, also tie j switch-board attendants and navvies, en-1 gaged on the maintenance of the permanent way. The Auckland Cabmen's Award has had , a good airing during the last two weeks ! at the Arbitration Court, and though the application for enforcements in the working on shares business was not upield hy the Court, yet there were a few j breaches that were recorded as successful. A pleasing feature to record is that the president of the -union, who found himself out of work as a result of these enforcements being taken up by the Labour Department, was agreeably surprised to lind that at the end of the week his fellow cabmen had, of their- own, accord, made a "tarpaulin muster" and subscribed his week's wages amongst | themselves, and sent it to his wife and iaroilr. Such actions as these are worth recording. The present award—one oi the two shortest awards in existence— expires in July, and the union are already making a move to have a complete revision of the present working conditions, .so as to be ready for the next sittings of the Court, in October or November nest.. The Westiand Labour Unions have invited applications for the position of Organiser for the' West Coast. Mr. P. H. Hlekey, who' recently visited the Xorth as a dViegate from the Blackball Miners', and iir. Robert Slater, late of the Arbit--raticn Court, are among the candidates for the position. Last .week I noted the success of the Wailu iliners' Lnion in the recent ilayoral and County elections, and in many instances in the South the results of the municipal, elections have given satisfaction to the Labbnr party. The election { of the Hon. T. W. Hislop' for Wellington, i as Mayor, i≤ a decided vindication —says .the Hon. J. T. Paul, M.L.C., in the ' Otago "Daily Times" —of Mr. Hislop's attitude towards Mr. K.eir-ilardie, to whom he gave a reception, and treated him as the representative of a great party, and a? a member of the British House of Commons deserved to be treated. In Dunedin the Labour party took no side as a part}', but I think that Councillor McDonald secured a majority of the Labour vote. Again, in Maori Hill, the vote which is usually so solid for Labour at the General Election, was cast in favour of !Mr. Butterfield, the successful candidate. In many other cases the successful candidate secured the Labour vote. The case of the Blackball miners, and their- liability as individual members to pay the fine of £75 levied by the Court against the union, and which the union has no funds to pay it with, came before the Court on Monday last. The union took up a unique position, and refused to authorise counsel to appear on its behalf, ■ the application by the Crown Solicitor was" therefore unopposed, showing clearly that the union has adopted a. ''don't care" attitude, and doesn r t trouble itself much as to what the Court does in the matter. A private communication received Vγ a prominent unionist in Auckland reTeals the information that the union questions the right of the Court to put into operation sub-clause (f) of section 101 of the principal Act to secure payment of a line pursuant to a conviction obtained under section 15 of the amended Act of 1905. The former section is to be used . to. punish a breach of an award, whereas section 15 of the amended Act is to punish a strike or a lock-out, and seeing that proceedings against the union were taken, and judgment given under the amended Act, the union contends that the men cannot legally be punished twice for the same offence. Had counsel appeared for the union this contention could have been clearly and fully laid Before the Court. The Auckland Jtattan and Wickerworkers' Award ran out in March last, and the union is taking steps to secure arx amended set of working conditions. A conference is to he hold shortly betweea masters and ths men, when an attempt will be made to adjust matters. Since the Auckland award was given, bow over two years ago, the Christeimrch union has secured an advance of wages upon the figure paid in Auckland, and this example has proved a stimulant to the Auckland workers, who are practically in the forefront of this industry. The General Labourers' Union oi Christchurch has a membership of nearly 400, an increase of over 300 in 12 months. Wellington gas cokers and stokers are not at all satisfied with the recent Arbitration Court award. . The lack of any provision for extra payment for Sunday work is their special grievance. A Labour opinion of the new British Prime Minister:—"He lights straight. His followers who wish to face both ways will not find it possible to do so, and his opponents will not be misled, for Asquith rannot conceal his opinions. He is direct and plain of speech." Spenee, A.W.U., estimates that the last rise in the price of shearing meant £' --iO.OOO. and in its existence the union had diverted £4.000,000 from the pockets of the squatters to the pockets of the workmen. t The membership of the Wellington Wharf Labourers' Union is still largely on the increase, consequent upon the granting of preference of employment to union members by the Arbitration Court. As a means of identification of membership the officials of the union have initiated a system of union buttons, to he -worn only by financial members of the union. ""No button, no job," is now the unwritten law on the wharf. Upwards of 1400 members have received the badge of membership up to date 3 and in a. week or two, when the system is in working order, the Wellington Wharf Labourers' Union will number 2000, and be the strongest anion in the Do-

LEGAL INQUIRY COLUMN. COiTDTjCTED By A BAKKISX]SE-A.T-liAVr Letters of Inquiry will be answered every Wednesday in tuis column. As far as possible they will be dealt with in the order 1U which they are received, and replies trill joe inserted with the least possible delay. In order to derive the greatest advantage I from this f.olumn, correspondents should give full earticulars oi the facts upon which they desire advice. Whatever the details supplied, Uowever, no responsibility can be accepted for errors, in whatever way arising, though every effort will be •iaade to insure accuracy* Answers are based aßsolutcly on the information given, and, therefore, in all instances, can only tie applied to the specific case dealt with. Every correspondent must enclose his or her real name and address, though not, ot course, for jmblieation. [Correspondents are reminded that their addresses must appear on their letters ot inquiry, as well as their true names. To address simply "Auckland," Is not sufficient.] CUSTOMER writes:—"(l> Should a receipt I for over 40/, posted by a Xew Zealand resident to a person in the United Kingdom, bear a stamp, and if so, what stamp? (2) If on stepping out of a shop | into Qneen-street, one were to come j down on a slippery iron and glass arrangement at the door, and break his leg, could he recover damages from anyone, and if so. from whomV [(1) The Xew Zealand penny stamp must I be affixed to such receipt. (2) I do not j know the slippery path Customer refers ro, [ but he would not be able to recover dani- ' ages in such a case unless be could prove J that tJie doorvray was not reasonably safe. [ and that accidents could not be avoided I with tlie exercise of ordinary care on the part of those using it. If he could prove that, he might recover damages from the occupier of ttie premises.^ PTTZZLED writes:— "l have a family living iv my rooms. I -R-Isli them to JeaYe, and have given them a week's notice. Tuey refuse to go. "What remedy have I?" [Take out a summons for possession in the Magistrate's Court.] TEXAXT writes:—"(l) Is a verbal notice to Quit premises, delivered by the landlord, sufficient? (.2) Is a fortnight the mini-' mum notice? 7, HI) As the notice was delivered by the landlord himself, Tenant knows it is "from him, and expresses his desire. TUat is all that is required. (2; A fortnight's notice is ample.] , LAW writes:—"(l) If I find a debtor who confessed judgment is financially able i to pay, what ought I to nest do for recovery of tlie debt? (2) I got judgment for amount with costs in several cases many months ago. @) May I destroy papers, letters, etc., dealing with the case mentioned? (4.) Suppose I receive a cheque, open and uncrossed. May I rrgnfjy, for safety, cross it and erase "bearer,"' without tlie drawer's knowledge? (7) Must each and every will go before a Supreme Court judge for probate? And what does this cost? (S) When may receipts be destroyed without legal chance of another claim being made?" [(1) and (2) Issue a distress warrant in each case. IK) The documents will not now "be required as evidence. The judgment is I quite sufficient proof of the debts, and supersedes all other evidence. (4> Yes, auy cheque may be so treated by the holder iv due course. (6) Yes. (7) Every will under which money is left must be so proved. i The cost varies according to the size of the I estate, the will itself, and the trouble it involves. (S) When they are over sis years j old.] TANIREiIU writes:—"How can I personally inspect a deceased person's will?"' [Apply at the office of the Supreme Court in which the deceased died. If it is proved, the will will he there.] SUFFERER writes:—"l did not receive a secretly engaged for six months, but I can furnish letters in which he refers to my promise to him of becoming his wife. Would the letters be sufficient proof in suing for breach of promise? The young man is in a very good post tion in a leading warehouse in town, and is, I know, of ample means." [If the letters clearly indicate the epteteuce of an engagement. Sufferer shoiild succeed in an action of the sort. The tbseuce of a ring in that case would not matter, x BUSINESS nsks: "What steps is it necessary to take to get a hawker's license iv the country districts?" [Inquire at the office of the County Clerk or clerk of the Road Board, as Ihe case may be.] S- writes: "Can my neighbour sweep ali her rubbish from the front of her place down to my bridge, crossing the kecbing, and stopping the watercourse when it rains, aud what is my remedy to prevent it. as the water carries tie bridge away':" [Report the matter to the Inspector o£ Nuisances.] H.C.H. writes: "I go to a tailor at the end of the year, :md select, and pay one pound (£1) deposit to bind contract for ii suit, to L>c tin is tied by tlie liOlitliiTS, He couid not do it until after the New Tear, aad I then called dn him, and told him I could not see my wav to take it as arranged. I have not been able to complete the agreement until now. Could I claim that suit or one facsimile on the producing of the receipt of the £1 mentioned?" [H.C.H. should see the tailor, and tell him eh is now ready to go on with the matter. If necessary, he will produce his receipt, and I do not suppose the tailor will niake any objection. Of course. H.C.H. will not claim to have the same suit, or even an exact fac simile of it. All he can ask for is reasonable value for the money 'ne is prepared to spend.] [E.H.il.. Decidealy it is worth while making inquiries. The best way is to consult a reliable solicitor.] X.Y.Z. writes: "A lets a house to B; no written agreement, only a verbal statement, that the rent is to be 7/ per week. After a few months A gives B a week's notice in writing that the rent will be raised to 10/ per week. One week after B receives A's notice, B gives a week's notice iv writing that he will leave A's house, and that lie will not pay 10/ per week for A's house. Can A legally claim 10/ per week, dating from tho end of the week's notice, for the two weeks B occupied A's house?" [I have perused the copies of the two notices, and I am of opinion that tlie extra rent cannot be recovered, and X.Y/.Z. should refuse to pay.] CIVROOT: Sue the porter for damages. CHANGE writes: "I would like to know if :i niau can change his name legally, and if it would be much expense or trouble?" LA man may legally change his name I without either expense or trouble, but if he wishes the change to be put beyond question lie may advertise it in the "New Zealand Gazette" and iv the newspapers of the locality where he is known.] COUNTRY SETTX.ER writes: "A valuable sow of mine strays on to a neighbour's paddock; is he justified in shooting it without giving warning?" [Yes, if the land is fenced with a sufficient fence under the Fencing Act. But within 24 hours he must send to the owner In writing a description of the sow so destroyed, and of the place where destroyed. If he does not scud the notice, he is liable to a One of £10.] H. NEI/SON writes:—"l have a young orchard, bounded on one side by a public road, and on the opposite, side by the boundary fence of my property. I wish to plant a belt of cherry plum trees along these two sides for shelter. How close to my boundary can I legally plant the trees? , [The Act forbids planting trees "upon or alongside" any tioundary line without tte preYfous written consent of the occupies «2 Uio cuatisTWua lauds. Xmia with

sneh consent the ocenpier may plant as I close as' he likes, but without it no definite I distance has been fixed by law. He will be safe, however, if he plants his trees so far of the trees overhanging the hind of his I probably be sufficient for cherry tplnms. In planting along the road this rule should always be observed.! ■ I VICTIMIZED writes:—"The owiier of an adjoining section lets a contract to cut three pine trees down, to stump the roots, and clear his allotment of all debris. This contractor, instead ol carting the stumps and heavy chunks away, dumps them al lon my allotment, without my permission or knowledge. He .says he had permission from my weekly tenant to do so. As the removal of these stumps wjll cost money (two men cannot lift them), I want to know whom of the two, my tenant or the contractor, are liable for my expenses? I might just s;iy my neighbour has nothing to do with it: it is simply between my tenant and the contractor, he has made use of my tenant as a cat's paw to victimize mc, and save his expense o£ cartage?"' [This is a very curious case. Perhaps, the tenant is going to burn the wood, and he should be questioned as to Ms intentions. If the result is unsatisfactory, and he I admits giving the contractor leave to dei posit the wood on the ground. Victimized should give him notice to quit. Rather tliau be put to the cost of removing, he might have tue encumbrance taken away, but. if he preferred to leave. Victimized could then sue for t he cost of removing it himself. Before suing, Victimized should consult his solicitor, who might think it desirable to add the contractor as a defendant.l