STOCKTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 3 December 1938, Page 11

STOCKTON NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] A special general meeting of the Ngakawau Miners’ Union was held in the Stockton Hall on Sunday last to receive the report of the National Council meeting held in Christchurch on November 14. Mr. T. Muir,, the delegate for' the Buller area, made the report. The question of safety hats for miners, and holiday pay, received attention. There has been an improvement in the clause dealing with holiday pay. Where workers in the district have been employed in more than one mine, a proportionate share of the holiday-pay will be contributed by the companies according to the time worked at each colliery. There is also a change in the date of starting. This will have the effect of altering the date of commencement of work, to one of having worked the one hundred and eighty-one days to qualify. Thus a worker starting somewhat later in 'the year can qualify. Hitherto, he had to start early in January. Regarding safety hats" it is now proposed that the workmen pay fifty per cent., and the owners will bear the same proportion of the cost. Another important matter from the workers’ point of view, is that of compensation. Recently a decision was given by the Court of Arbitration to the effect that, although shiftmen worked on a Saturday, thbj were not entitled to have their compensation based on more than five days per week, but if a man received his injury on the sixth day, he was still covered by the Act. However, it

appears that law is iaw, uui ucvauav it is right or correct, but because it is authoritative. The “Ana” decision was a “teaser,” and this latest pronouncement isn’t a bit better. It is intended to ask the Minister of Mines to make the use of safety hats compulsory. , ’The Buller Central Committee held a meeting in Millerton on November 27th. to fully discuss all outstanding disputes in the district. These disputes vVill be discussed on December 9th' in Westport. Mr. T. O. Bishop will be in attendance representing the Coal- Owners’- Association. Mr. Cummings has resumed work after heinn idle through an injury to

one of his hands. /Mrs. S. Lowry and family, have arrived from Nelson. Mrs. Brownlie, is making good progress towards recovery after her recent operation in the Westport Hospital, 'and expects to be home for the Christmas holidays. Mr. J. Fitzsimmons, who received an injury in the Stockton Mine recently, continues to show signs of improvement in his condition. ■ The Stockton Spanish Medical Aid Committee has received a special appeal for the children in stricken Spain. The committee decided to forward £7 immediately. In response to this effort, Mrs. McGowan, of Wellington, sent an encouraging letter to the committee. Those subscribers in the district who contribute so regularly and so generously to the work of the Stockton Committee, will be pleased to know that their subscriptions are being used to the best advantage in

relieving aisiress. me committee nem the usual whist tournament on Tuesday in the Stockton Hall. Mr. and Mrs. C. Steele, won the ladies’ and gent’s prizes. The Stockton Hockey Club held a carnival dance on Friday. The weather was not. very kind and interfered somewhat with the attendance. However, those who turned/up had a very ■(,‘iijoyable evening and were 'well 'pleased with the function. Miss M. Kerr, of Gravity, put on some dance

items by her pupils. Mr.. A. Mclntyre supplied the music. Mr. J. Shearer was the master of ceremonies. A meeting of the Stockton Labour Party was held in the Stockton Hall on Sunday, Mr. J. Lavery presiding. The meeting decided to appoint a deputation to interview the Minister of Mines (Hon. P. C. Webb), during his visit to Stockton on Saturday, in reference to the swimming bath, the road to the mine, and the conveyance of children to Granity and back. , The mine continues to work the full ten shifts per fortnight.