ARBITRATION COURT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 450, 8 March 1909, Page 2

ARBITRATION COURT.

(BY TELEGUirH—ritESS ASSOCIATION.) Westport, March 6. The Arbitration Court sat at Westport today, and dealt with a number of cases:— In M'Lean v. Union Steam Ship Company. claim for .£4OO compensation '011 behalf of tlio son of Robert Turnbull, who died as the result of injuries caused by an accident oil the.Rakanoa, evidence was given that the deceased had, before death, expressed, a wish that all 110 possessed should go to a sister in ]>oor circumstances in Greenock, Scotland, and not to his son, because he had not got on well with his wife, and his son, who was in his brother's charge, was being well looked'after. Counsel for deceased's son was granted permission to liavo examination by commission of deceased's biother and son iii Scotland, and the caso was adjourned for six months. ' ' In an application by tho Denniston Coal Miners' Union for the interpretation of an award, his Honour ruled that the proceedings were wholly irregular, tho Union having cancelled its registration, and the proceedings having been brought by tho union instead of the inspector, aiid tho case was struck out. 1 111 the Grnnity Miners' Union v. Westport Coal Company, an appeal from tho Magistrate's judgment 111 a caso brought to recover a penalty for breach of the coal miners' award, the union contended that the firemen or drivers who had worked 365 shifts in the year were entitled under the award to six days' holiday 011 full pay. It was shown that the men, by arrangement amongst themselves, and without objection from the company, worked fifteen, fourteen, and thirteen shifts in successive week's, taking two shifts in succession one week ill order to get ono Sunday off, and 110 overtime was paid. Tlio compaiiv took the literal interpretation of tho award that the men must work seven days per week consecutively tho whole year. The Court ruled that the clause must be intorpretod reasonably, and that tho firemen ami engine-drivers who had worked 365 shifts not necessarily 011 3G5 consecutive days,' camo within tho operation of the clause. The appeal was allowed, with costs £4 4s, and disbursements. '