BREACH OF AWARD

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1929, Page 6

BREACH OF AWARD

WORK ON SUBWAYS

v (By Telegraph—Press Association).

GREYMOUTH, July 3.

The ’lnspector of Awards (Mi Davis) prddeeded against - J ohn 'AltVeci Hart, builder, of Greyinoutli at yesterday’s civil sitting 'of tile Magistrate’s court, claiming that lie had employed Various carpenters 'on Labour Day. (October. 2znd.) find on Sunddys at the 'Milium 'bOiiiiu iiostcl, and failed to pay them double time as required by clause 4 (b) of the 'Carpenters’ and Jodieis’ Award.

.tfi' H. F. Doogaii, who appeared fur 'defendants, entered a plea of guilty. Hie facts were, he said, that while enon the contract, the men had struck a particularly large number ol ;days when they coind not Work on account of bad weather, and they had asked to be- allowed to work on Sundays. Mr Hart had, told them- that, it would hoc be 'strictly in accordance .with- the regulations, but lii reply to repeated requests by the whole 'of • the men he had allowed them to do so; 'with tlie result -.at the Department had taken action against him. Counsel, su bid ittod that no harm had been done, and that in Using the penalty die , -Magistrate should take .•• into con-, sfi deration the fa.et that defendant had only agreed to let the men work on .Sundays .-after repeated requests had been made.by.the men, . The' Inspector said -the facts were to some extent-as stated by Mr Doogan. The nien seemed as if they were willing to forego the privileges they had; .gained under the award. Seeing that: defendant had pleaded guilty, however, , he did not wish to stress the .matter, but .lie could hardly agree .with the .statement .made by Mr Doog,;;n .that; > the request)had been made by the,(whole of the •Workers.. . The Magistrate (Mr W. Meldrum) imposed a . penalty of £2-. .... A . number of claims by ; workers against the contractor were struck out.