PLUMBERS OR GASFITTERS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 251, 22 October 1919, Page 14

PLUMBERS OR GASFITTERS.

% INTERPRETATION OF COURT. QUESTIONED BY UNION. An application came before the Arbitration Court, over which Mr. Justice Stringer presided, yesterday afternoon, in which it was asked that an interpretation of thi' 1 Court in respect of a clause in th.c Auckland Plumpers and Gasfitters' a'.vard be rescinded. The application was made by the union, for | which Mr. J. Clarke appeared, and was]" pupp-orted by Mr. J. C. Spinloy, on he- |- half of the Master Plumbers' Association. It was opposed by My. J. Lowe for t.he Auckland Gas Company. The application for the interpretation had been made by the Inspector ot Award*, Auckland, in the course ot | which it was stated that the Auckland Gas Company employed two registered plumbers who were on occasion employed on the following classes of ■work:—(1) Taking branches off existing water .supplies and connecting gasheaters; (2) connecting water-heaters to baths, basins, a,nd stake; (3) fixing, repairing, removins', and disconnecting of water supply piprs in connection with califonts; (4) fixing pillar-cocks on basins, wiping join te. Tlie rates paid were 1/5 per hour, plus 2d per hour war bonus. The question was: Were the -workers While so employed entitled to be paid 1/6 per hour, plus 2d per bour war bonus according to clause 3 of the award? The answer of the Court to the question submitted was in the. negative, and it was stated further that the work in question did not come within the definition of sanitary plumbinir, contained in the. Plumbers' Registration Act, 1912, being expressly excluded therefrom, and micrht therefore be carried out by other than registered plumbers. Mr. Clarke said the application was made on the ground that the Court was not fully informed of the facts when making 'the interpretation. He submitted that the work, of connecting water-heaterß to baths, basins, and sinks, fixing, repairing* removing, and disconnecting water supply pipes with califonts, and similar work should be done by registered plumbers, but under the interpretation it could be done by plumbers who were not registered, and was, in fact, being done by men not registered in the employ of the Auckland Gas Company. Mr. Spinley supported this contention, and said that as the result of the interpretation the work of registered plumbers was being seriously interfered with. Mr. Lowe submitted that the work alluded to could not properly be called sanitary work, such as the work of connecting baths, basins, and sinks with eewer or drainage pipes. The baths, basins, or sinks were already connected ■with the sewers before any gas-heating apparatus was installed. The latter work was done subsequently and had no connection with the former. They would not connect hot water with a bath if the bath had no outlet-pipe connected witli some sewer or drain. It was a separate work, which, he held, did not come within the definition of "sanitary plumbing" within the meaning of the Plumbers' Reghtration Act, and could therefore be performed by men who were not registered plumbers. The Court reserved its decision.

"I am subjected to colds on my che*t, and so is my wife. We get a tightness that is choking and needs immediate easing. Nothing gives us such instant relief"by cutting the phlegm and easing the chest a* Baxter's Dung Preserver."— A. E. Wildey, 103, Hataitai Road, Wellington.—Get "Baxter's" to-day; 2/6 at chemist or store. —(Ad.) When yonr little child Is not, restless, and feverish, with a fresh cold, don't delay, but immediately give Nazol on sugar and a handkerchief with Nazol and pin to the dress, so that the child can inhaie it constantly.—'< Ad.) Wolfe's Schnapps has cleansing action on the kidneys and Madder. — (Ad.) Sore throats, ciicst trouDJe, with thick mucous, will be readily relieved by frequent use of Nazol on sugar and by rubbing a few drops of Nazol into the chest and throat night and morning and covering with cotton wool or flannel.— (Ad.) All wise mothers use "Wade's Worm Figs. Eradicate worms of all descriptions. Price 1/6.—(Ad.)