EARLY CLOSING CASES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 258, 5 November 1906, Page 5

EARLY CLOSING CASES.

SHOPKEEPERS FINED. Two shopkeepers were before Mr. DistrictJudgn Kettle in the Police Court this morning for breaches of the " Shops and Offices Act of 1904" and the "factories Act." The prosecutions were brought by the Inspector of Factories, whose assistant, Mr. Le Creu, conducted the rases. The first defendant was William Jaffrey, a bootmaker, who was charged with having, on Oct. 20. failed to close his shop at 9.30 p.m., as required by the requisition gazetted on January 25, 1906. Mr. F. E. Baume, for the defendant, said his client was one of those who were instrumental in getting the requisition gazetted, and although there had been a technical breach, it was done quite unintentionally. The facts were that a friend came into the shop at closing time, and through talking to the defendant, delayed his closing work. Mr. Le Cren admitted that the shop was being closed, and apparently no sale was taking place, but if the Act was to be properly administered, there must be greater promptitude in closing. His Worship imposed a fine of 5/ and costs. .John William Dimmoek,. another retail bootmaker, was charged with a similar offence on October 20th; and with the further offence, of having employed an assistant named George F. Underwood, later than half an hour after closing time. The first offence was admitted, but a defence was raised to the second that Underwood was working in the shop, not as an assistant, but quite volunlarily.

Underwood, called by Mr. Le Cren, said he 'considered himself both a factory hand and shop assistant. Hr finished work between two and three o'clock on' Saturdays, and canie ba«k after tea, voluntarily, to take charge of the shop and close up. He was not hound to do this, and received no remuneration for it.

Defendant corroborated, and said Underwood's wages were now £2 10/ a week, and he had worked for him since he was a boy. He received no payment for his Saturday night's work.

Mr. Lβ Cren said Underwood, as an assistant, had no right to he in the shop, whether paid or not.

His Worship expresed a. desire that the legal points could be argued by counsel. At Mr. he Cren's suggestion, the case was adjourned till four o'clock this afternoon, to enable counsel to be engaged.