STOCKTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 23 October 1943, Page 6

STOCKTON NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent.] . The monthly meeting of the Ngakawau Miners’ Union was held in the Stockton Hall on Sunday at 10.30 p.m. Mr. F. Connew presided. A report of the recent findings of the Coal Mines’ Council on the claims by the various unions was given. The payments in the extraordinary and extra wet places were increased. The power house employees’ claim tor time and a-half for Saturday work will be finalised after the Coal Controller has been consulted. The claim for a subsidy on travel by the Charming Creek Union was agreed to and the Company will contribute six pence per day towards the cost. Several remits were submitted for the consideration of the members and the following will be forwarded to the Buller Central Committee prior to some going on to the National Council of the United Mine Workers’ Union: Re-classification of rates for winch driving, a revision of contract, rates for hewing, yardage and timber, nationalising of all mines, payment for making a coal floor, recognition of travelling time from minemouth to face and return, and a revision of the method of collecting income tax from the workers by the Government not collecting tax on tax and allowing the workers an economic income for the upkeep of the wives and family before any income tax becomes, payable. A request from the National Council to all unions re. the continuation of Saturday work until the end of November, and that coal production also be agreed to on Labour Day, was discussed. It was decided that the union, acceed to the request due to the shortage of coal. Requests from the Stockton Labour Dav Sports Committee and the Ngakawau branch of the N.Z. Labour Party for financial assistance were finalised by the Union granting one pound to Stockton and five pounds to Ngakawau. As the Stockton sports will take place on Saturday and the Ngakawau programme will eventuate on November 20 the children of Stockton will be able to visit Ngakawau and take part in the competitions. Messrs W. Fleming and W. Battershall were nominated to the joint committee which will supervise the Ngakawau arrangements Mr. and Mrs. W. Hinde are leaving on Friday on return to Christchurch after spending a few weeks’ holiday as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. , Mrs. A. Harris is leaving Stockton dn Saturday for Christchurch to spend a holiday with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. A. Chippendale. Sergeant J. Pollock of the American Marines, was a visitor during the week, and was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. J. Jose. Mr. D. Archer of Cape Foulwind was a recent visitor to the township. Mrs W. Fleming is receiving treatment in the Buller Hospital and her many friends wish her a speedy recovery. 1