“PIN-PRICKING.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20205, 16 January 1934, Page 5

“PIN-PRICKING.”

Allegations Made Against Foreman. DIAMOND HARBOUR INCIDENT. Allegations of pin-pricking by the foreman on the Diamond Harbour relief job were made by a deputation of about thirty unemployed men who waited on the Lyttelton Borough Council last evening. The spokesman for the deputation explained that the men had waited on the council to report on an incident that had occurred at Diamond Harbour that day, as a result of which the relief workers had stopped work for three-quarters of an hour. Pin-pricking Alleged. The trouble, he said, had arisen through one of the relief workers turning to six minutes late after the dinner hour. The man in question had gone gathering mushrooms and not having a watch, he had returned to work late. The council’s foreman had ordered the man to stand down until 2 p.m. On the present wages the men could ill-afford to lose any of their pay. The relief workers considered that the foreman was pinpricking and creating much ill-feeling. The speaker asked the council to make an investigation. All the men had ceased work for forty-five minutes in sympathy. When the deputation had retired the Mayor stated that he did not see how the council could do anything without the presence of the council’s foreman. If a man was late the foreman was only acting in accordance with the regulations in knocking the man off. Report from the Foreman. The borough engineer, Mr H. H. Barnard, stated that he had a report from the foreman which stated that the man concerned had turned to a 1.10 p.m. and not 1.6 p.m., as stated by the deputation. On the man being ordered to stand down for an

hour, the rest of the men stopped work and did not resume until 2 p.m.. Mr Barnard stated that the trouble had started some time ago. The men had been dodging work going out mushrooming, and as a result the foreman had had to take a stand. The Mayor: There is a good deal of discontent. Councillor A. H.. Fowles said it was a pity that in view of the fact that the engineer had in his possession a report from the foreman he had not produced it while the deputation was present. He contended that the council had acted wrongly in allowing the deputation to be received without the proper notice. The Mayor: These are extraordinary times. Council’s Powers. A discussion took place regarding what action and power the Council and Unemployment Committee had to permit the unemployed men concerned to make up the lost time which would now be deducted off their pay according to the regulations. The Mayor stated that if the pay was allowed to be made up it amounted to the council going against its foreman. Councillor Fenton also approved of an effort being made to permit the men to make up the time they had lost when they had ceased work. Councillor Fowles moved that the certifying officer be asked if the men who lost time that day would be allowed to make it up and if the reply was favourable the men be allowed to do so. This was agreed to.