Reefton Lock-out.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 64, 31 May 1912, Page 9

Reefton Lock-out.

LEGAL PROCEEDSNCS PS.OEABLE.

Practically the whole of the miners employed at the Globe Hill, 'Knergo.ic, and Plaokwutor mines in flte district, are loekod-ont through the refusal to work ''poppers" single-bunded The I'eei'fon Union is one of the very few miners' unions in New Zealand still registered under tbe 0. and A. Act. The men are working under ti-n award of the Arbitration Court, which will not expire for fully 12 months. In that- award, provision is made for machine work. In every ease it- is stipulated that two men shall be employed. The arrogant demand of the Con soli-. dated Company that the men work the "popper" oil pain of dismissal is held by the Union to bo a distinct breach of' award. Mr. P. J. O'ltegan, JFedera-; tion solicitor, is of a like opinion. _ It is understood that the Union in-' tends urging the Labor De]>artment to take action against the companies concerned. The agent of tbe ; department was iv Roefton last w&o% , inquiring into the trouble, with tlus; object in view. In the meantime, it is quite possible that employment mil : be found by the Government for a pro-' tportion of tbe mes affected, marfy «f j whom *re very old residents of *j_B; district. ' The tH-mber affected by the loclc-CKit; is 9om*tkiiiff over 309.

Charles Kellog, of California, has started out to convince the Harvard faculty of his ability to ...lk with animals. His life has been spoilt among the .Sierra Nev.'idas, and hie s: tid.es include tho vocal sounds made by bears, «qairrol«, lizards, rattlesnakes, and crickets. Indeed, he claims proficiency in 15 animal languages. Ho has a peculiar palate, with no tonsils, and entirely lacks the cord connecting tho 4eeth with the lips. To these jiecuuari-t-i-es toe partly ascribes the ease willi *__eh hft imitates the sounds of in,B«A6 and animals. Some of bis obscrv*Ai<Miß and ideas arc. it is said, -at least interesting, if not convincing.