QUESTION OF OVERTIME.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 48, 25 February 1913, Page 5

QUESTION OF OVERTIME.

CXTOX TEST CASE. ■Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M.. gave his decision to-day in the case brought by an able seaman named James McTighe. against the Northern S.S. Company. Mr. A. E. Skelton appeared for the ■plaintiff, and Mr. M. McGregor for the defendant company, instructed by Messrs. Hesketh and Richmond. The dispute was really whether the overtime should be paid at the rate for sea-watching, or at that for handling cargo. The claim was to recover 3/, being balance alleged to be due for overtime at 1/6 per hour, for which the company had paid 1/3 per hour. Mr. Kettle .said the whole question was the construction to be put upon Clause 12 of the agreement. In his opinion the seaman was only entitled to be paid for overtime that he had done after the expiration of the eight hours, and that for such overtime he should be paid according to the rate specified in the agreement for the particular class of work done. That, he considered, to be the reasonable construction to be put upon the clause. .Tudijment would therefore be given for the defendant.

ISlr. Skelton asked for, and was granted, leave to appeal