West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1897. REEFTON WAGES.

West Coast Times, Issue 10536, 21 July 1897, Page 2

West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1897. REEFTON WAGES.

The Board of Conciliation, which has been sitting at Reef ton last week to hear certain, demands made by the Miners' Union, has reported that it could not bring about any settlement of the dispute but makes certain recommendations which the Union or the employers may either accept or appeal against. Before the sitting, Mr Macfarlane, S.M., the Chairman, suggested an adjournment with the view of extending the agreement under last year's award, for another year. The award had been given after appeal to the Arbitration Court, and was, in the opinion of Mr Justice Williams, in keeping with the condition of the mining industry then obtain' ing. He (the Chairman) held there had been no improvement since then, either in London or elsewhere, and it behoved the Union, and indeed the laboring classes generally — for he did not alone consider those who were members of the Union — to bear these facts in mindBoth sides being of opinion an agreement was impossible the various points of reference, being the demands of the Union, were considered and dealt with as follows :— (1) Shift bosses, 11s 8d per shift, present rate. — The Union merely asked that this be the fixed rate. — The Board made the rate Us 8d per day and suggested shift bosses should not be members of the Union. (2) Timber men, lls 8d per shift— This reference was similar to that of the shift bosses and wages were fixed at that rate. (3) Rise, winze and shaft meu, lls per shift. — Present rate 9s 6d. — Wages increased to 10s. (4) Miners, lOsner shift.— Present rate 9s 6d, being amount of award. — Wages to remain as at present. (5) Truckers, £2 10s per week. — It was stated that formerly, even within the last 3 years, they hai been paid as high as £3 10s— Wages fixed to remain as at present, 8s per day. (6) Battery feeders, £2 10s per week —Wages to remain as at present, 8s per day. (7) Six hours to be the duration of a shift for men working m bad air or wet ground — This order of reference was atruck out.

(8) Pick and shovel labor, 10s per day — It was complained that pick and shovel men had been included in the category of "surface" men and paid 8s per day. — Fixed at 8s 6d per day. (9) Bushmen, 123 per day — It was claimed that this work was particularly laborious. — Fixed at 9s 6d per day. (10) Men in charge of shifts at batteries, £4 per week — It was stated by Mr Thorbufn (Keap-ifc-Dark Co) that these men were really blanket washers. — Wages to be 10s per day, (11) Blanket washers, £3 }0s per week — It was said these were responsible men having charge of the batteries during their shifts. — Wages to be 8s per day. (12) Men working rock drills, 11s 8d per shift— The Union asked for an increase from 9s 6d owing to the unhealthy nature of their work. — Wages to be 10s per day. (13) Engine drivers and wheel men, £3 10s per week — This was stated to be the present rate which the Unitfn desired to see officially recognised.-~Wages were fixed at 53 aud £3 10s if holding a winder's certificate. (14) Blacksmiths, £4 per week— wages to be from 1 Is 8d to 13s 4d per day. (15 & 16) Brace men and chamber men, £3 10s perjweek — Thejincrease was asked for owing to the responsibility of the j office. — Wages to be 9s per day. (17) Working jhours of miners to be 46 per week from surface to surface — This reference was struck out. Saturday . afternoon's shift to leave at 1 1 p m. ; Sunday night shift to go on at 1 a.m. (18) Whe.re main shaft exceeds 250 feet in depth, the Company at all times to lift the men and keep a man on the brace while working below — This was to save the men climbing long lengths of ladders when exhausted with labor. — This reference was struck out. (19) No contracts to be let for less than 100 feet for driving, sinking, or rising, and no contract to be let for breaking out quartz. — It was stated the men were being unfairly treated in these contracts— written specifications to be provided for all work let by tender. (20) Two delegates from the Association to be allowed to inspect the mines — This reference to be struck out, the Government to be asked to appoint an inspector for gold mines only. (21) Holidays to be from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day (both inclusive) Good Friday, Easter Monday and Tuesday, Queen's Birthday and the Union anniversary— Easter holidays struck out; the others allowed. (22) One week's notice to be given by each side — Struck out. . (23) No work but that absolutely ne- ; eessary to be done on Sundays and the - foregoing holidays and double rates to be rpaid for what work is done—Only necessary work to be done on Sunday ; the provision for extra pay was struck out. (24) Members of the Union to have preference in giving employment—Residents of the district to have the preference.

Whether the Union will accept these provisions ja not yet kno-ftru Their re-

preieritatives have signified they will not accept but no official intimation has been given. In all probability the matter will be referred to the Arbitration Court.

A. meeting of the Westland Hospital Trustees will be held thia evening at 7.30. The farewell social to Mr and Mrs James Kirk will be held in the Salvation Army barracks this evening. Mr F. J. Oliver, of the Telegraph Office, leaves this morning for Greymouth, to which place he has been transferred. We take leave of him with great regret. Newspaper men have much to do with the work of telegraph operators and Mr Oliver is one of the best we have had ex • perience of for many years, besides being very courteous and obliging. Our Greymouth contemporaries are lucky in gaining his services. That our police force needs augmenting is amply evinced by the wilful destruction of property constantly taking place in this town. Complaints have been made, for a long time past, by property holders, of the many acts of spoliation to which unoccupied houses ate subjected, but the police appear to be quite unable to suppress the evil, or bring the culprits to justice. The latest evidence is afforded in a substantially bui^lt cottage at the corner of Park and Sewell streets, which was securely protected, but has been broken into; the window sashes, mantel J shelves and iron stolen, and a general an \ constant destruction of the building daily taking place. The police have been ap pealed to and it is to be hoped will not i rest, until they catch the offenders, for it I is their duty to do so, or apply to the department for extra aid to protect property from wilful destruction in future. Attention is directed to the now advertisement on our third page with regard to the t forced clearing sale now pi'oceeding at West of England Houpe. Greai bargains are offering in connection with this sale, the object being to wind-up the large estate as speedily as possible. Every department of the extensive business contains tempting bargains, arid the public are urged to take advantage of an opportunity which but seldom occurs. A general inspection is invited. At a meeting of the Westland Institute Trustees held yesterday evening, A. H. King, Esq., in the chair, it was unanimously f resolved that a record bo place! on the minutes in commemoration of the late W. L, Fowler and of the great loss experienced by the deceased and in vco'lccsion of the interest ho took in the Institute's welfare and the many useful works undertaken by him in its behalfIt was also resolved that Capt BigneU be asked to act ss Trustee in place of Mr Fowler.

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