WORK INTERRUPTED

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21421, 15 May 1941, Page 11

WORK INTERRUPTED

MORE URGENT NEEDS I POWER LINE CONSTRUCTION j SUPPLY TO STATE COALMINE j “The work of reticulation in the I Te Akau and Waimai districts will I be slowed up somewhat after May 19,” said the engineer-manager, Mr : J. R. Fow, at yesterday’s meeting of j I the Central Waikato Electric Power 1 i Board. He explained that the Elec- | tricity Controller had asked the | Central Waikato and other boards to j supply men and equipment to the : Waitomo Board to expedite the erection of a line to supply the newlydeveloped coalmine at Mangapehi. Mr Ellis said the Central Waikato board was to supply one truck and four men, with erecting equipment, as from May 19, for about two months. The board would receive payment for the services rendered. The opinion was expressed that the Electricity Controller considered the line to the coalmine more urgent than reticulation of farming areas, and several power boards were helping to get the work done speedily. Mr Ellis reported that most of • the wire required for the Te Akau j and Waimai sections had been de- ; iivered, and further deliveries were expected. Two gangs of workmen 1 were employed, and most of the ‘ poles had been erected | Soldiers’ Pay When proposed payment of holi- ’ ! day pay of members of the staff on j active service, in terms of the Fin- : ance Act (No. 3) was referred to by I i the secretary (Mr H. J. Beeche), Mr j | R. G. Young said he would have to j voice an objection. It seemed to 1 him that some better system was de- 1 ! eirable. He pointed out that some 'men in the Army were dependent on their pay, and they should have j the option of disposing of any bonus money. Further, if certain men had money set aside for them until their : return to civilian life it might hap- ! pen that they would be denied any gratuity privileges awarded to the general body of participants in the , lighting forces. Mr F. L. Onion, supporting, said there should be uniformity, especi- ! ally in the matter of employees of | local bodies. Actually, there might i be some ill-will engendered if it were found that some men were to receive ! a lump sum as a bonus, after returning from the war, while others did not receive anything. The bonus money would be derived from the board’s consumers, who probably had their own sons lighting alongside the local body employee. So far : as possible, there should be uniformity, though he admitted action along the same lines by private employers I could not be controlled. A Worth-while Provision Other members expressed the view that by keeping a man’s job open for him, and, in the case of super- ‘ annuitants, maintaining their gradj ing, was a worth-while provision, j After the Great War, said Mr j Young, the returned men received a | Government gratuity, based on . length of service with the forces. Many private and public employers kept jobs open for their employees. He predicted that the same course would be followed at the end of the present conflict. It was decided to pay all employees going, or already, on active service, for any holidays due plus one week’s pay. Offer of Loan Money The board accepted the offer of a loan of £18,500 at 3A- per cent on the Instalment repayment system for a term of 12 years, from the Bank of New Zealand Officers’ Guarantee and j Provid'ent Association. | Members present were Messrs T. ' i Hinton (chairman), E. F. Peacocke, N. Reid, G. Smith, K. Eyre, F. L. ! | Onion, R. G. Young, J. A. Sampson, . | W. C. E. George, and W. Henry, with : Messrs H. J. Bceche (secretary) and • J. R. Ellis (engineer-manager).