WAIHI MINERS' DISPUTE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2371, 10 August 1899, Page 23

WAIHI MINERS' DISPUTE.

AUCKLAND, August 3. The decision of the Conciliation Board has been given in the dispute between the Miners' Union "and the Waihi Silverton Company. The board recommended as follows : — That a week's work consist of 46 hours for men working on day and afternoon shifts, and 47 hours for men working night shifts. The minimum rate per day shall be : Shift bosses, 10s ; men working on the face, driyine and stoping, 8s ;

truckers, experienced, 8s ; truckers, inexperienced, 7s 6d ; blacksmiths, 9s 6d ; tool sharpeners, 8s ; engine-drivers, 9s 6d ; shaft men, 9s ; shaft men working in wet shafts for a day of six hours, 9s ; chamber men, 8s ; brace men, 8s ; assistant brace men, 7s 6d ; rock drill men, 9s ; carpenters and timber men, 9s ; pit men, 10s •; stokers, " 7s 7d ; filling in men, Bs. The proportion of boys and youths shall not be move than one to every four competent miners. Provision is made for overtime and the necessary Sunday work. Preference of employment to be given to members of the Miners' Union, provided they are equally qualified with non -members to do the particular work required. The industrial agreement is to continue in operation for a period of two years from September 1, 1899, till August 31, 1901. The penalty for any breach shall be a sum not exceeding £20. AUCKLAND, August 4. There is every likelihood of the Miners' Union dispute with the Waihi- Silver! on Company going to the Arbitration Court, as the company refuses to. accept the award of the Conciliation Board. The union, on the whole, consider the award satisfactory, though blacksmiths and tool sharpeners had not received the benefit of the schedule it submitted to the board. The chairman of the board expressed deep regret that the dispute had not. been settled.