AMONG WHARFIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10509, 13 February 1928, Page 2

AMONG WHARFIES.

.J UDGE LEARNS NEW TERMS. “BULLS” AND “COWS.” SYDNEY, Jan. 26. Men who attended picking-up places on the wharves, but who never accepted employment, were declared by a witness: in the "Waterside Workers’ case’ m the Commonwealth Industrial Court to be the troublesome elements on the waterfront. Captain Charles Turner, wsth seven years’ experience as wharf superintendent for Messrs Howard Smith, Ltd., declared that at the slightest suggestion of a dispute at tiie picking-up places, the union officials slammed the door ui the employer’s face, and the men walked out and left him standing imue. There were some men attending the pick-up places who never did any work. Mr Adams (for the Commonwealth Steamship Owners’ Association) :■ Are they a source of trouble on the waterfront ? Witness: I may say they are the whole source of trouble. The others are influenced by them, and disputes are easily caused. At some periods of the day, witness added, it was difficult to get labor on the wharves, especially enily in the morning, and the owners desired that the -second pick-up in the afternoon should be retained. The employers did not welcome the pioposal ‘of the federation for the establishment of four separate pickingun places, viz., Woolloomooloo, Miller’s Point, Erskine Street, and Pyrmont, because it would result inf loss of time and loss of control over the gangs. “TERMS OF ENDEARMENT.” Various names by which gangs of . wharf laborers are known within their particular domestic circles were given to his Honor, Judge Beebv bv Mr J. Morris, representing the Waterside Workers’ Federation. “There are special gangs kno.wn as' ‘bulls ’ ” Mr Morris explained. “These are very good men, and the owners endeavor to keep them constantly engaged.” ... . “ ‘Bulls, his Honor exclaimed. “T have never heard the., name before/ Is it a term of endearments’” Mr Morris replied that several terms w’ere used to identify certain gan tr s. There were some known as “stars ” and some as “comets.” and there were many others. “Bulls” was quite a common expression His Honor : “Well, I have heard the men described as ‘fair cows,’ but never as ‘bulls.’ ’’—(Loud laughter.)