ARBITRATION COURT.

Evening Star, Issue 12927, 25 September 1906, Page 2

ARBITRATION COURT.

THE TRAMWAYS DISPUTE. The following concludes Our report of yesterday's proceedings at the Arbitration Court: Edward Joseph Quartonnan, resuming his evidenco after lunch, examined by Mr Scott, said that the speed of the electric cars was about double the speed of the horso cars. The electric cars went from the Post Office to Cavcrsham via Cargill ro;\d in fifteen minutes. The horse car trip over the same route took about twenty minutes—that was on a quick run; sometimes it used to take about thirty minutes. The electric car sections in Howo street were covered in about five minutes. If the accountant said that witness's " shorts " for six months totalled 7s 9d, he would dispute the statement, but he had no data 'to disprove it. Had not known of a company being put to heavy expense by the carelessness of a conductor. Witness himself was concerned in a case in which his employers had had to pay £4O because an old lady had been knocked down by reason of a car starting too soon. To Mr Hood: Had been driving a good part of the six months during which the " shorts " were estimated. Norman James Reid, conductor, with three years' experience, said he thought the union's claims as to wages were fair and reasonable. He received £4 lis for a fortnight of 104 hours. The shifts varied in length from 7£ hours to 10 hours, and sometimes longer. When theatres were on it was common for a man to work 12 hours for several days, and be might have to put in about 15 hours attendance to work those 12 hours. A conductor on an electric car had much more, responsibility than a conductor on horso cars. Witness had been on the horso cars. In actual running time an electric car conductor had about three minutes in which to collect his sectional fawjs. While he was doing this ho had to attend to stopping and starting, etc. No matter what the conditions were, a conductor had to attend to the trolleypole rope at the points. He knew of a case where a man was penalised to the extent of two days off for not attending to the rope. The highest amount he had ever paid in "shorts" Was 4s 6d—that was during a fortnight. It was part of their duty to look after mails. They got no payment from the Post Office for this. Did not approve of the system of having " spare men." Favored overtime rates of pay for all work over eight hours a day, and double rates for holidavs. / Did not get every Second Sunday off/ as they were supposed to. To Mr Scott: Considered that Is an hour was a fair rat© for conductors. Did not consider it .good if his " shorts" totalled 14s 9d over six months. Would sooner work on Sundays than sec "spare men" taken on.

Alexander Borland, conductor for four years, with horse car experience, said be received £4 lie per fortnight of 104 hours. Had drawn a few shillings for overtime. He gave evidence along similar lines to those followed by earlier witnesses. It was a rnle that they should get no overtime in any fortnight in which a quarterly holiday occurred. Had known of a conductor's "shorts" amounting to 10s and even £1 a day. Had been very fortunate himself in this respect. Had heard of one man being 28s short in a fortnight. Did not get "overs" if there were any. Believed ho had sometimes put some of his own money in his bag. Considered that "overs" should be used to balance "shorts."

Henry M'lntosh, conductor, of twelve months < experience, also gavo evidence corroborative of that of previous witnesses. The Court then adjourned for the dav.