MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 285, 24 April 1913, Page 8

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS

VISIT TO Tllli WEST COAST. Per Press Association. Christehurch, Last Night. The Hon. W. I'ra-or, .Minister of Public \\ orks. travelled from Lvttelton to the Cass In- train yesterday, and traversed the railway iino under construe■tion from the Ca>s to Jiealey Flat with the engineer-in-chief and the resident engineer. lie then went by buggy to tile, Otira tunnel, arriving at 0 o'clock. After dinner the party entered the tunnel, going along right up to the working face, two miles and four chains from the entrance. They watehod with interest the drilling operations in progress.. The visit occupied over two hours. This morning u deputation from the West Coast Workers' Union waited on the Minister and asked for several modifications of the working conditions and increases in the rates of pay. Mr. Eraser agreed to allow forty minutes each day for men going to tins faees at Otira. and ten minutes for men at the I ion ley end. lie also agreed to pay ordinary overtime at rale and a quarter, and rate anil a half for Sundays or holidays. The Minister declined to authorise preference (if employment for unionists. Minor requests will be referred to the resident engineer. Mr. Fraser left the Otira to-day for Kumara. He. will reach Hokitika tomorrow. and visit Ross and the neighborhood on Friday. Tie will afterwards visit Urovmouth and Rcefton.