PNEUMATIC DRILLS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 642, 19 April 1929, Page 10

PNEUMATIC DRILLS

HOW THEY AFFECT STONEMASONS ARBITRATION HEARING The hearing of the dispute between tho Auckland Stonemasons’ and Monumental Workers’ Industrial Union of Workers (applicants) and the Auckland Builders’ Association and other employers (respondents) was continued in the Arbitration Court yesterday afternoon. Mr. Justice Frazer had associated with him Mr. L. J. Schmitt (for the employers) and Mr. A. L. Monteitli (for the employees). Mr. J. Purtell acted as advocate for the Stonemasons’ and Monumental Workers’ Union, and Mr. S. L. Wright on behalf of the employers. John Purdie, mason, exhibited liis hands to the Court to show the effect of the drills on them. Another witness, Gilbert Jenkins, said that when he first used the pneumatic drill the backs of his hands puffed up. Later his fingers became numb, and he could put them into live embers without feeling any hot sensations for some minutes. Wages had not entered into the matter personally, he said. He would not work one of the machines at £ I an hour. Arthur Astin, stonemason, stated that he had a letter from England stating that six of his friends, all stonemasons, had died in the last six months. His Honour: We can hardly accept that as evidence. Evidence was also 'given' by Harry Gordon Staley, who said that in London in 1921 carvers received 3s 4d an hour and masons 2s 4d. Professor S. E. Lamb said he had worked the pneumatic surfacing machine. It gave off an excessive amount of dust. It was the last machine in the world he would like to work. He thought the dust could be mitigated entirely by a water jet. He suggested a sleeve device by which the jarring of the blows of the machine might be reduced by 70 or SO per cent. The 2-inch tool as at present gave off too much vibration for a man to work. The sleeve he suggested might cost about Is. EMPLOYERS’ VIEWPOINT Mr. S. E. Wright said the rates of pay and hours in the present award had proved satisfactory. There was no reason why the wages should be William Parkinson. master stone- | mason, said work in the monumental trade was going out, presumably on account of the price. Another master mason. Thomas Mc,Nab. said that he had seen the machines to which such exception is taken here widely employed in Australia and South Africa without complaint. John Bouskill, retired stonemason, said he had worked the pneumatic machines without any ill-effects.