ELECTRIC TRAM EMPLOYEES.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11875, 23 April 1904, Page 8

ELECTRIC TRAM EMPLOYEES.

m AN UNEXPECTED INCIDENT. (TBXSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, April 22. The Tramways dispute was continued in the Arbitration Couit to-day. There was an unlooked-for incident. Shortly before the adjournment for luncheon Mr Way, the men's representative, made an allegation of intimidation on the part of one of the company's officers against a witness named Williams. At the afternoon sitting the matter was gone into at considerable length. It appears that Williams, who ie a conductor, stated that he had left the footboard of the car and ridden inside when on the Parnell section, in consequence of the excessive dust. Mr Carey, the Tramway Company's engineer, after leaving the Court, had a discussion with Mr Lysaght, the traffic manager, but did not give any definite instruction* for the man to be suspended until nine- o'clock this morning. In the meantime Mr Lysaght had telephoned to Mr Peterson, foreman in charge of the Epsom depot, that Williams was not to go on duty until he had eeen Mr Carey after the day's proceedings at the Arbitration Court. This was the purport of the reply made to the allegation of intimidation. Mr Carey pointed out that it was a distinct breach of the rules for a conductor to ride inside the car when not collecting fares, and stated that his intention in the. present instance was to caution Williams against such conduct. Mr Way argued that a witness was protected by the Court' from any punishment for giving evidence. The Court heard the arguments on both sides and reserved their decision.