IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14836, 29 November 1913, Page 12

IN CHRISTCHURCH.

NORMAL CONDITIONS BEING RESTORED.

From outward appearances it would have been difficult to gather yesterday that there was anything in the nature of a etrike on in Christchurch. So large was the number of drivers who have returned to their work that transport operations are practically assuming their normal condition, and the small patrols of mounted "special" constables were about the only sign of anything unusual in the city's activities. But small crowds in front of the Trades Hall and the Socialist Hall indicated that in labour circles at any rate strike topics wore still matters of concern.

WOEK BEING RESUMED. Messrs Skelton, Frostick have re-opened their Zealandia boot factoryl The clickers resumed yesterday morning, the machinists are to resume today at 8 a.m., and the benchers and finishers on Tuesday. ' It was stated a day or two ago that the Spreydon Borough Council had decided to suspend work .on the No. 2 loan area owing to the,drivers' strike interfering witfi the delivery of material. It has now been decided to resume work in the area mentioned "on Monday morning, .when all the old hands will be 'taken on. /■_ . ■ . . . .■ ... All departments at Messrs Aulsebrook and' Company's biscuit and confectionery factory will resume work on Monday. ' . • ■ . . .;•■•. SUGAR FAMINE ENDED. One result of the re-opening of the port of Lyttelton has been to bring to an end, practically, the sugar famine which has been experienced in Christchurch for the past, fortnight. Some supplies.reached the city yesterday and further consignments are expected , early next .week. • ■ BUILDING OPERATIONS HUNG UP. A business man states that one effect of the strike has been the cancelling of calls for tenders in respect ( to' three buildings, the total value of which was nearly £16,000. In tho case of another building for which tenders were about to be called, ; those interested were . advised s tp- postpone action in the matter. In the present unsettled etato. of labour, prices of materials have bo stability, and tenderers are not in a position to tender. If they did tender, they ran big risks of loss from prices of materials increasing considerably . over those upon. which. they tendered. In most contracts! provision is matte indemnifying contractors in the event of strikes, and also, in some cases, in the event of an unexpected rise in the prices of material, but things are co unsettled at present, that even \vith these indemnities, contractors do not care to take the risks involved. Regarding the three large buildings referred to, our informant eaid that in all probability n6 further steps would bo taken to call for tenders till after the New Year.