STRIKE ON THE WATER RACE.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8079, 18 September 1894, Page 3

STRIKE ON THE WATER RACE.

A strike of tho mon employed on the water race took placo yostordiy. They complain that tho price is not sufficient tor tho work. It appoars by tho attitude of tho mon that they would leave tho ground, bub tho timely intervention of tho inspector prevonted this, and tho men, after calming down, formed themselves into ft meeting, and discussed tho situation. The following is a report of tho mooting *. Mr M, Gilligan acted as chairman. Mr S. Borolum explained to tho mon that it would bo advisable to go on with the work, and in tho meantime send some one to interview the Council. Tho men protested against this, and Mr Hoavey said that Mr S. Boroham vtaa anked to go down some time ago, that ho did not do so. It struck hiia that Mr Boreham was in league with the Council. Mr B<irry said hia cago was the worst of the lot. IJe had been working short handed ovorainco tho work started. Mr C Gallagher wanted to know if Barry wantod tho men to work for nothing. Mr J, Clcary said that it must bo romombored that they had a lob of work done, and they would lose were they to knock off. Mr Vitiske said that Cleary and tho rest) of the gangers could form themselves into a gang and go on with tho work, \ Mr Ifeavey ; That's what we intend to i do, and expect the Council to supply us with men, as they agroed to do at first. Mr J f Boreham asked Mr ITeavcy i whether ho thought Ib posaiblo for the Council to find mon to come thoro and work for fcanpenco a day, (A voioo s You're wrong j 2* 9d a week,) Mr Boroham : Well, -I'm only speak, ing for tnyself, Mr J, Pringlo said thab it struck him tho gangers intended to make tho job pay out of his horses, but he oould aanuro them that ho would not kill his horsoH to make money for them shifting shingle at sixpence per yard below what ho considered a feir prico, Mr J. Douglas : What do you think is a fait price 1 Mr Pringlo: One shilling and threeponco per yard, and ho knew a little about such work, and ho whs nuro that no contractor in New Zealand would or could do it under that prico and act honestly to hie mpn. After further disousßJon, it was reaolvod that a deputation consisting of Messrs S Boreham, Cleary, Barry and Hoavey in* terview the Council, with j view to getting a risp. The men plainly intimatod *t the same timo that they woul(J not do another tap if they did not get a rise, Mr Eraser said : Well, men, you've lost what you've oarned, Mr J, Boroham ? I've lost a month's work already, and this bit won't mfcko much difference no matter which wuy it goes. The deputation interviewed tho owners of tho horses, and after a lot of persuasion they decided to wait and see how tho do* putation got on, providing tho gangors would guarantee them their money. After some further temstku the mooting 'dispersed,