ALLEGED BREACH GF AWARD.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 94, 18 October 1909, Page 8

ALLEGED BREACH GF AWARD.

CASE AGAINST THE UNION COMPANY. The Foderatod Cooks and Stewards Union proceeded against the Union Steam Ship Company in, the S.M. Court to-day, bofore Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M., for two penalties of £5 each for alleged broaches of tho federated cooks' and stewards' award. The allegations were that the company employed J. Smith, ship's cook, on board its s.s. Maitai, and only paid him on two separate Sundays tho minimum amount of 3s instead of the maximum amount of 6s, us provided in tho award. Mr. Hindmarsh appeared for the union, and Mr. Levi for the company. lii setting forth the statement of claim, Mr. Hindmarah said the e.s. Maitai traded between Auckland and Wellington. En route the vessel called at Gisborne, wharo the alleged breach was committed. There wore provisions in the award for overtime on Sundays, -while vessels were in terminal ports and in ports with bar harbours. There was a bar harbour at Gisborne, and it had been considered that as passengers did not go ashore in bar harbours as at germinal ports this imposed more work upon tho stewards. Tho trouble arose out of an agreement, whiohi he said, was well understood by tho Union Cmpany. Mr. Lovi contended that the question was purely one of interpretation. The particular section of the award was vague and uncertain, and was difficult to construe. Tho difference of opinion as to payment was regarding bedroom stewards, who had to provide meals for the officers, whether there were passengers on board or nor, or irrespective whother in harbour, terminal port, or on the high seas. Oouns>el considered that the only places they could expect to receiva overtime on Sundays would be at a terminal port, where their homes are likely to be. "Why," he said, "overtims at Gisborne and not at Wellington?" Mr. Hindmarsh : The broach is adniitter, your Worship, in that the Union Company has been accustomed to paying tome overtime, but not the full amount. Dr. M'Arthur Query answers : Why have the men accepted it ? Mr. Hindmarsh : _ They did not -know the award at the time. Dr. M'Arthur roserved his decision until Thursday.

Tenders are invited for the supply and installation of an electric elevator for tho Dominion Chambers, Dunedin. At 1.30 o'clock on Wednesday Messrs. T. Kennedy Macdonald, Ltd., will hold a eale of household furniture. The same firm announos tho sale of unclaimed luggage* from the National Hotel. Messrs. HareourL and Co. announce in our advertising columns that they will sell by public auction, at No 3. 21 and 23, Thorndon-quay, on Thursday, 21st inst., at 1.30 p.m., household furniture and effects, tho contents of fifteen rooms. Messrs. J. H. Bcthune and Co. announce in our auction columns that to-morrow, at 2 p.m., at their iocrn=, they are holding a sale of houuelnii" luraiture, removed for oonvenioiK'P of bale. Amongst the articles to Ivj Giinmilterl aro piano by R. Wesel (Berlin), drawingroom exhibition sideboard, hall stand, oak sidoboard, mahogany dining) chairs, and a useful lot of sundries; also a half-plate camera. The furniture will he on view to-morrow morning. Mr. Frank Shaw, chemist, MaunoissUeet, advortiaes a list of prices of goods at bis aale, which bwan this mojoing.