STOCKTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1944, Page 8

STOCKTON NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. Messrs F. Ireland and W. Fleming are improving after their recent accident;.' in the mine. ’ Mrs T. Burgess, of Christchurch, is a visitor to the township. Mr and Mrs J. Fleming a'nd son, of Christchurch, are the guests of Mrs ' W. Fleming. Mr and Mrs Wildey have taken over the residence recently occupied by Mrs W. Parfitt. Mr A. Harris returned on Wednesday after a brief visit to Christchurch. ,r Miss J. Annan, of Wellington, is visiting her parents, Mr and Mrs J. Annan. Miss Barton, of Westport, was the guest of Mrs G. Stewart durmg the week-end. Mrs F. Callaghan and family have returned to Westport after a short holiday visit to Mr and Mrs H. Stanley. A general meeting of the Ngakawau Miners’ Union was held in the Stockton Hall on Sunday, Mr F. Connew presiding. There was a fair attendance, ' the National Secretary being among those present. A report on the conditions under which, the open-cast system of coal production would operate was given by the National Secretary, and it was decided to transport the coal ac from Monday, November 20. A request from the Coal Controller that the open-cast system should operate through the Christmas holidays was discussed, and it was? uecided to endeavour to obtain sutncient workers for the various departments on a voluntary basis, those agreeing to work to get their holidays 1 at a later date. It was unanimously decided to have the new bathhouse erected at the top brake. Nominations for a Board of Control resulted in Messrs J. Mcßean, F .Connew and J. Hitchins being elected. A report on the recent West Coast District Agreement Conference was gwen by Messrs Y. Connew and I. Tyler. Platelayers, loco-repairers, and sub-attend-ants were granted increases, anu there were some minor concessions to underground workers. The report was adopted after certain clauses had been explained. An outstanding pow-er-house dispute was again the subject of discussion. Since 1940 the power-house employees have not been granted short shift concessions as applicable to other employees, and this question will again be brought to the notice of the Management.