ARBITRATION COURT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5424, 3 November 1904, Page 6

ARBITRATION COURT.

A petoabi enforcement. The Arbitration Court, consisting of Mr Justice Chapman (President), Messrs S. Brown, and R. Slater, sat yesterday in. tho old Magistrate’s Court to hear three applications for enforcement of award in idle Wellington district. . In tho first case the Labour Departs ment, represented by. Inspector Shanaghan, applied for enforcement of the stationary, locomotive, and traction en-gine-drivers’ award against Allender and Co,, soap manufacturers, Petohe, for having employed George A. Parrant, holder of a second-class competency certificate as an engine-driver from May 2nd, 1903, to July 6th, 1901, at 7s 6d per day, whereas the minimum daily wage prescribed by the award was 9s. Tho Labour Department also sought enforcement of the award against Parrant. Mr H. Field, .secretary to the Employers’ Association, represented AUendor and Co. J The manager of the soapworks stated, that Parrant was paid at tho rate of 9s per day for three days a week during which ho -.was employed tending the boiler, and at the rate of Gs per day for the remaining three days during which he was working about the yard, thus making up tho weekly wage ho was receiving, £2 ss. Tho President said it was quite clear that a breach of the award had been committed. There was no provision in it for a weekly wage, and this man had not been paid by the day, as prescribed. A penalty of £3 and expenses would be imposed on Allender and Co. In tho case against Parrant, a fin© of 10s was ordered. THE CARPENTERS AND JOINERS. The Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners applied for enforcement of award against Parsons and Brown, builders, Wellington, for having employed E. A. Hitchings at £1 13s 9d per week, that being less than the minimum wage prescribed by the award. Mr W. H. Hampton appeared for the union, and Mr Field for the employers. From the evidence it appeared that Hitchings had served three years of his apprenticeship, and was refused a permit which would entitle him to work for less than the minimum wage. On seeking the advice of the Chairman of the Conciliation Board, he was advised to get apprenticed for the balance of his term of five years. This he arranged to do with Parsons and Brown, but was not indentured, as provided by the award of 1903. The President announced that the Court was satisfied that Hitchings had been employed at less than the minimum wage, and that a breach had been committed. It recommended that Hitchings be indentured for tho remainder of his term. The firm would be fined £2 and expenses. Tho Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners hod another application for enforcement of the award against tho sAme firm, on the grounu that it Had employed Archibald Lambert and George Brown, two unindentured apprentices.

During the examination of the boy Lambert he was seized with a fainting fit, and had to bo assisted from the Court.

After hearing evidence, the Court held that a breach had been committed, and imposed a penalty of £3 and costs. The Court adjourned until 10.30 this morning, when the drivers’ dispute will bo heard.