WAGES CLAIM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 284, 30 November 1944, Page 8

WAGES CLAIM

AGAINST HARBOUR BOARD POSTPONEMENT REFUSED (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Wed. Holding that any further delay in the hearing of a claim for wages against the Lyttelton Harbour Board would be a denial of justice, Mr. Raymond Ferner, S.M., In the Magistrate's Court this morning, overruled an objection made by the Harbour Boards' Association that the claim should not be heard pending proceedings in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

The claim was a sequel to a longstanding dispute between the Lytlel ton Harbour Board and the New Zealand Harbour Board Employees' Union over payment of workers engaged on Sundays and statutory holidays. The inspector of awards sought to recover from the board the balance of money alleged to be outstanding for this work.

After a sitting that had lasted from 10 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. the magistrate asked if it were not a question of a nonsuit on a claim for £18 19/11 by the boatman, but Mr. Gresson, who appeared for the plaintiff, said if that were the magistrate's ruling he would ask permission to recall witnesses to give evidence on the question of hours worked.

The magistrate then suggested a short adjournment to give counsel a chance to come to some agreement regarding the actual amount of the claim.

After an adjournment counsel agreed that the sum should be £17 11/7, and judgment for this sum was given. An application for costs was declined.