LATE TRAMWAY STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 278, 18 November 1908, Page 3

LATE TRAMWAY STRIKE.

REPORT OF BOARD OF ENQUIRY. Received 17, U j> ftydnev, Uist Night. The Trainwav Board appointed as the result of the late strike to enquire into the relations between the loimnis-sioners and the employees, has presented its award. One of the men'* chief grievances was the vsipionajje system. The award provided that no tondiK'tor shall be punished for the irregular issue of a ticket oil the uncorroborated -evidence of a Hpueial olth-er, -or punished for 'failing to eolleet a fare or issue a ticket 3U exchange for a fare on the information of a special officer unless his attention is called to the irregularity at the time. When the charges are made against them, the men are to be notified and allowed examine reports and call evidence on their behalf. The ward provide* an all-round increase of sixpence per day in wages, and makes a number of other Modification* to the men's advantage.

The IVe.siuent ot the Hoard, in delivering the award, said it had not been shown licit the irritation of the men at the espionage system had any reasonable ba>is, or was <if Mich a character as to justify its discontinuance. Another grievance was the eyesight tests, lie declared these were not unnecessarily hard, and it would lie unsafe lo allow men who were unable to comply therewith to drive trams ill the streets. Oil the question of the guilt or innocence of Conductor Cronchcr. over whom the strike was precipitated, the Board was equally divided, and .the matter was decided on the casting vote of the J'rertdent. He came to the conclusion that Croucliers guilt had been established bevonil all reasonable doubt.

The award gives the union substantial concessions. Tt is lxdieved the commissioners will accept the award, and the union will be appealed to to do the same. 1 *