H.—ll

LIII

Auckland and New Plymouth Bootmakebs. Before the Conciliation Board for the Northern District. Deab Sib, — Auokland, 31at December, 1898. Eeferring to the dispute between the Auckland Boot-manufacturers and the Auckland Operative Bootmakers' Union of Workmen, I have to report that the Conciliation Board for the Northern District, having taken into consideration all matters arising out of the above dispute, and having taken evidence and heard arguments, have been unable to effect a settlement of the dispute. A. H. Collins, Chairman. The Clerk of Awards, Auckland. Before the Conciliation Board of the Northern District. Dear Sib, — Auckland, 18th January, 1899. Referring to the dispute between the Auckland Operative Bootmakers' Industrial Union of Workmen and Mr. Hal Goodacre, of New Plymouth, I have to report that the Board of Conciliation for the Northern District, having taken into consideration all matters arising out of the above dispute, and having taken evidence and heard argument, have been unable to effect a settlement of the dispute. A. H. Collins, Chairman. The Clerk of Awards, Auckland. Auckland Plumbebs and Gasfittebs. Before the Board of Conciliation in the Northern Industrial District.—ln the matter of an industrial dispute between the Auckland Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Metal-workers' Industrial Union of Workmen and R. Tudehope and others. The Board of Conciliation, having taken into consideration all matters arising out of the above dispute, and having taken evidence and heard argument, do hereby recommend as follows :— 1. That the hours per week be optional—not to exceed forty-seven hours per week, ordinary time. 2. That the rate of payment be according to the ability and energy of the employe; the minimum wage to be at the rate of Is. per hour. 3. That employers pay all fares to and from any job more than one mile and a half beyond the city boundary, and ordinary wages for time going to such job. 4. When working at the North Shore employes to catch the 7.30 a.m. boat, returning by the 5.10 p.m. ; on Saturdays, returning by the 12.10 p.m. boat. All fares to be paid by the employers. 5. The payment for overtime on work outside the shop shall be as follows : Prom 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., time and a quarter ; after 9 p.m., time and a half; and for work inside the shop—namely, repairs and alterations to employers' plant and machinery—ordinary time only. 6. That for work done on Saturday after 1 p.m. the rate of pay be time and a quarter (subject to reservation, as per clause 5). 7. That for work done on New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Queen's Birthday, Anniversary Day, Boxing Day, and Prince of Wales's Birthday the rate of pay shall be at the rate of time and a half up to 5 p.m., and after 5 p.m. double. For Sunday, Christmas Day, and Good Friday, double time (subject to reservation, as per clause 5). 8. That all apprentices shall serve six years, after a probation of three months, with one employer or firm only, the rate of wages to be 6s. per week for the first year, Bs. for the second year, 10s. for the third year, 12s. for the fourth year, 15s. for the fifth year, and £1 for the sixth year. That the number of such apprentices shall be arranged as follows : That each firm shall be entitled to one apprentice, and after that the number employed shall not exceed one extra apprentice to every two journeymen, the proportion to be gauged by full employment of journeymen for two-thirds full time during the previous six months. 9. That workers who at present come under the definition of " improvers," having worked at the trade for any period not exceeding the term of apprenticeship, shall forthwith enter into a proper agreement with an employer to serve the balance of term, and shall receive a certificate on the completion of their term of six years which shall declare them to be duly qualified journeymen; but that from the date of this industrial agreement no other improvers shall be engaged. 10. That on all country jobs necessitating the employes living away from home all fares thereto and therefrom shall be paid by the employers, and time of travelling to and from such job, an additional pay of 3d. per- hour: these terms to include apprentices. 11. That employers shall provide men with soldering-bolts, iron-pipe-fitting tools, metal-pots, plumbing-irons, mandrels, and files. 12. That wages shall be paid weekly, and on Friday. 13. That any employe who, through age or physical infirmity, may consider himself unable, or may be considered unable, to earn the minimum wage may apply to the Chairman of the Conciliation Board, who shall then appoint a committee, consisting of two employers and two employes, and himself, or his nominee (not being engaged in the trade), acting as chairman, who may give a certificate to that effect; such certificate to entitle the employe to work for any wage that may be mutually agreed upon by the employer and employe. 14. That this statement shall not take effect until three months after the date of this finding, and shall hold good for two years therefrom. 15. That the penalty for any breach of this statement shall not exceed £10; such penalty to be recoverable before a Stipendiary Magistrate. 16. The recommendations to refer to plumbers and gasfitters, and those following such occupation. Supreme Court, Auckland, 21st January, 1899. A. H. Collins, Chairman. Wellington leon- and Beass-mouldees. Before the Board of Conciliation, in the Wellington District.—ln the matter of an industrial dispute between the Iron- and Brass-moulders' Union, of Wellington, and W. Cable and Co., of Waterloo Quay ; D. Robertson and Co., of Old Customhouse Street; Edward Seagar, of Victoria Street; S. Luke and Co. (Limited), Manners Street; Smith Brothers, Manners Street; W. Crabtree and Sons, Eva Street; H. Gaby and Sons, Ciawford Street ; and the following brassfounders, who were added to the dispute : William Earnshaw, Johnston Street; Campbell and Dutch, Victoria Street; S. Danks and Co., Brandon Street; Jenkins and Mack, Lambton Quay ; Henry Babington, Normanby Terrace; Andrews and Manthel, Tory Street; Ballinger Brothers, Waring Taylor Street; and J. Glover, Church Street. The Board of Conciliation, having taken into consideration the above dispute, and having heard the parties and the evidence adduced, do hereby make the following recommendations : — 1. Forty-six hours and a half shall constitute a week's work. Work shall not commence (except as overtime) before 8 a.m. or continue after 5 p.m., with half an hour for dinner, except on Saturdays, when the time worked shall be from 8 a.m. till 12 noon. Day-work and overtime shall be reckoned separately. 2. Overtime shall be paid at the rate of time and a quarter for the first two hours, time and a half afterwards. Double time to be paid for Sundays, Good Friday, and Christmas Day; and time and a half for other statutory holidays. 3. Competent workmen shall receive not less than Is. 3d. an hour. Should the question of competency be raised, it shall be submitted to a committee for settlement (consisting of two representatives from each side, who shall appoint a chairman to sit with them), and, should the committee's decision be disagreed with by either side, the question shall be submitted to the Board of Conciliation for final settlement. The conditions of employment at present observed in platework shops (so far as plate-moulding is concerned) shall not be interfered with. 4. The number of apprentices shall be limited to one to three men, to be calculated on the average number of men employed during the preceding twelve months. But this clause shall not be deemed to apply to plate-moulding,