CLAIM FOR OVERTIME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10756, 30 April 1913, Page 5

CLAIM FOR OVERTIME.

A TEST CASE. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, April 30. A test case, brought in th© interests of coastal seamen, was decided by Mr Justice Sim to-day. It was an appeal from a decision in the Magistrate s Court in respect to a claim by a searman for three shillings for overtime against the Northern feteam Ship Company. The stipendiary Magjstratte ruled that the worker's time under the agreement rail on continuously until he had worked the required eight hours out of any work done by him. After the expiry of eight hours he must be paid for any further time as overtime.

Mr Justice Stm said that the decision depended on the proper construction of clause 12a of the agreement between the seamen of Australasia and certain shipowners. In his opinion, the only way that full effect could be given to the clause was by taking all the time worked in the sea watches on any particular day in which there had been work in the port, counting as part of eight hours without any regard to particular hours, when these watches were kept, or how they stood in relation to working in port on that day. "The appeal was allowed, and judgment was entered for the appellant for 3s and costs.

His Honor added that, as the question was important, respondent had leave to appeal if he desired to do eo.