INVESTIGATION URGED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19338, 31 May 1937, Page 6

INVESTIGATION URGED

DREDGE OUTPUT DROPS XO MORNING OVERTIMR BOARD TO TAKE STEPS lioyartliiig - a drop of 2o per cent in the outpiil of tlio dredge A.C. as a sequel to the recent decision of the hoard to discontiiiuo the payment of morning overtime to the crew of the dredge, members of the Gisbornc Harbour Board today took a serious view of the matter, and ordered an inquiry with a view to discovering whether the circumstances warranted disciplinary action. The dredge A.C. is a maintenance tool, specially designed to meet the needs of the Gisborne board, the records of her output for several months having been regarded as highly satisfactory. During the early operation of the dredge, it was the practice of tbo board to allow the crew half an hour's overtime to cover the necessary preparations for each day's work. Lately this overtime has been, eliminated, and in to-day's report of the secretary-manager, Mr. H. A. Barton, it was noted that the returns of the dredgemaster showed a reduction by 100 tons per day in the amount of spoil handled by the dredge.

Some members of the board found it, dillicull to believe that, the apparent difference in output was not due in some measure to an error in the ligures, but- all agreed that if the difference could be traced to deliberate slowing-down of the rate of work, as a retaliation .for the loss of the overtime payments, drastic action by the board was indicated.

It was pointed out that them should be no need for the dredge to go out into the bay with less than a full load, even though it might be necessary lo delay the towing operations a little in order to fill the hoppers, since in the course of the day Die vessel had enough waiting time, while the launch was engaged oa other work, to make up any Joss in (lie morning, The works committee of the board wa.s authorised to investigate the matter, and to take such action as might, seem necessary to correct the position.