BONUS PAYMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25048, 11 November 1944, Page 6

BONUS PAYMENTS

MEN AT GASWORKS OBJECTION TO STOPPAGE Opposition to the removal of a bonus payment which had been made to them since 1942 for extra work was expressed by retort-house workers of the Auckland Gas Co. when they held a,meeting yesterday morning. About 50 men were affected by the removal of the bonus, which took effect this week. The extra money, which was paid for the charging of extra retorts, amounted to 4s a day for each man. It was stated yesterday that the extra work and the extra payments Avere instituted to assist in the production of gas over a difficult period. Recently the men were notified that the extra work would not now be required and that the bonus payments would cease after last week. When advice of the impending removal of the bonus was received the men held a meeting and expressed the opinion that the extra payments should remain ns compensation for some of the conditions of work. The men appointed representatives for a disputes committee and the Government was advised. It was stated yesterday that the men understood that until a disputes committee had settled the matter the payments would remain. Later, however, they found that this was not the case. At yesterday's meeting the men decided* to approach the management with a view to having the bonus retained pending the decision of the disputes committee. The Government was communicated with, and as a result the bonus is being retained until the disputes committee has given its decision. It is hoped that the committee will be set up next week. The general manager of the company. Mr R. Worley, said that the men had undertaken to put extra coal into the retorts during the next three shifts to make up any loss of coal as a result of the meeting. This would ensure that! there would be no interruption in the gas supply. TRAINS IN COLLISION EXTENSIVE DERAILMENT WEST COAST ACCIDENT (0.C.) GREYMOUTH, Friday Two locomotives and ten waggons were derailed when two trains collided in the Stillwater railway yards last evening. A Greymouth-Otira goods train was standing in the yard when a Blackball-Greymouth train with a heavy load of coal came into collision with it. Nine hopper waggons of coal were overturned and a truck containing a heifer was up-ended without the animal being hurt. The two locomotives, travelling at a speed of five miles an hour, were able to come to Greymouth under their own steam this morning. Main line traffic was not affected by the derailment. AMBULANCE APPEAL THE STREET COLLECTION GOOD RESPONSE BY PUBLIC Returns available last night showed that £3470 had been collected in the annual St. John Ambulance street appeal in- the city and suburbs yesterday. Amounts have yet to come from several outlying districts. Approximately £ISOO was collected in the city area, while of the suburban totals the highest was that of Takapuna* where £l3O was obtained. The next largest collection was at Mount Eden, with a total of £lll. Appreciation of the excellent response of the public and the work of the collectors was expressed last night by the secretary-manager of the St. John Ambulance Association. Mr S. E. Langstone. He felt confident that when all returns had come to hand last year's figure of £4040 would be reached. The result so far was very satisfactory. He said no appeal was made to the schools this vear as it was realised that the children were contributing regularly to patriotic funds. MINERS' CONDITIONS WEST COAST AGREEMENT (0.C.) GREYMOUTH, Friday > Representatives of employers and workers in the coalmining industry in the Grey and Buller districts have been conferring at Greymouth since Wednesday on proposals for a new agreement. Remits from various unions were completed yesterday afternoon and the conference* concluded this afternoon. The Under-Secretary of Mines, Mr C. H. Bennev, and a member of the Coal Council, Mr A. Prendeville, were among those present. Mr Bennev stated this afternoon that a complete agreement was reached. RAZOR BLADE DANGER USE BY CHILDREN (0.C.) ' WHANGAREI, Friday The danger to children through razor blades being taken to school by pupils for the sharpening of pencils was emphasised at a meeting of a school committee in Whangnrei. It was pointed out by a member that now that frames could" not be secured the naked blades are often lost by the children and constituted a danger around the school grounds. He said that the remedy was in the hands of the parents, as they should not allow children to handle the blades. ANCILLARY LICENCES OTHER OPERATORS SUFFER (0.C.) WHANGAREI, Friday The detrimental effect on the business of licensed transport operators of the issue of so many ancillary users licences to farmers was stressed by Mr L. Sirl, ' president of the Whangnrei branch of the Itoad Alliance, when speaking at a sitting in Whangnrei of the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority. He said that ancillary licences were being granted to farmers to transport their own produce, and this was taking business away from licensed operators, who had previously carried out the work for the farmer. 'The authority, Mr E. J. Phelan, concurred with these views, although at the sitting nine new ancillary users licences were granted. TAUPO TROUT FISHING GOOD SPORT OBTAINABLE (0.C.) TAUPO, Friday With the rush of the opening w.eek of the season over, very few anglers now remain. The weather has been hot and humid during the past few days and rain is needed to improve fishing conditions. Those anglers with the necessary skill and patience can still enjoy good sport. The upper reaches of the TaurangaTaupo, which was not fished to any extent during the opening days, is now giving good results. There are few anglers at Waitahanui and fishing is quiet. The Hatepe mouth is improving and some good fish are being taken there. Mr It. C. Smith, of Woodville. and Mr J. F. Carter, of Palmerston North, on the upper reaches of the TaurangaTaupo, took ten fish, the best of which were one of 841b and two of 81b. Mr R. G. Smith, of Woodville, fishing the mouth of the Tauranga-Taupo, landed eight fish, including one of BJlb, and the whole catch averaged '6}lb. Mr R. McDonald, of Ashhurst. and Mr L. E. Gleadow, of Woodville, fishing from the points on the beach near the Tauranga-Taupo mouth, caught 11 fish, including two of Sib. Mr J. Kelly, of Hastings, fishing in de Lautour's Pool on the Wnitahanni on the evening rise. took one 81b and one 101b trout ; Fishing down the Waikato River is still quieti. .