Ngakawau Mine Dispute FINDING OF ENQUIRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1922, Page 4

Ngakawau Mine Dispute FINDING OF ENQUIRY.

NGAKAWAU, Aug 31. 'llio finding—a majority one—in the Ngnkfiwau dispute was to-night made public. The Committee to discuss the dispute sat to-day at 10.30 a.m. At 8 p.m. the Chairman, Mr Hood gave his decision as follows: “The company’s proposed system of working the engint room and boilers on night shift is, in my opinion, reasonable, and can he performed with safety, and without inconvenience, by one man in effective charge. The conipalny’s proposal i s as follows: The fireman going off shift to leave the hoppers fully charged; a man to he engaged cleaning the empty or idle boilers, or other similar duties, within th© powerhouse, and also .to he available in- case of emergency, if required; and, further, to assist the engine-driver in the preparation of boilers and machinery at d a,in.” With regard to the reinstatement of Engine Driver Doyle, the following decision was given :—Doyle’s action in taking over the shift at 11 p.m., and closing down th© plant at 12.30 a.in., was, in my opinion, a broach of section .16 of the rules and regulations under the Coal Mines Act, 1908, which left the engineer no alternative lint to dismiss Doylci; and the dismissal was therefore justifiable. It might he taken that Doyle’s action was hasty, and, in a measure, due to the extenuating circumstances. I would, therefore, re commend that the Company take this into coiitsidaratimi when considering the matter of his reinstatement.”

The two representatives of the miners Messrs Evans and O’Brien, disagreed with the findings of the Chairman. A meeting of the Miners Union will be hrtld on Friday to consider the verdict.