EMPLOYERS CHARGED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 22, 10 February 1937, Page 6

EMPLOYERS CHARGED

Breaches of Factories Act Several breaches of the Factories Act were the siibjeet of charges in the Hastings Magistrate's Court this morning bef ore Mr J. Miller, S.M. The information was laid by Mr A. E.. Wood. Silas Beer was charged with failing to keep a time and wages book in Tespect of two employees. Mr Dowling appeared for the defendant. Mr Wood said the defendant had a grocers' shop in Heretaunga street^ A warning was issued in October, and it was ignored Mr A. Dowling explained that Mr Beer was the managing-director of the Aria, but the man entirely responsible was the Hastings manager. There were only the manager and, one assistant in . the shop and when the offence was committed, the shop was busy with the Christmas rush. "I'll fix a penalty .of £1 10/-, ' ' said the Magistrate. "The defendant liad been previously warned." Costs 10/were also given. A. L. Crawf ord,; Hastings, was charged with employing an apprentio© before the hour of 4 a.m. and with . failing to pay overtime rates. He was also charged with failing to register a signed contract of apprenticeship. Defendant pleaded guilty to both charges,^nd was fined £1 on each charge, with costs £1 6/-. Charles George Watson, Hastings, waia charged with employing a girl under 14 without authority, and a girl under , 16 without givlng the inspeetor of factories the necessary certifieate of fitness. Accused pleaded - guilty to both charges, and fines of £1, costs 10/-, and* 10/-, with costs 10/-, were imposed, the magistrate stating that the offences wero apparently not serious. Mr W. S. Averill said tb«t the girls were empioyed in Watson 's cordial factory putting labels on bottles. The two girls were enterprising and wanted to earn some pocket money. There was no suggestion that the omployers wore benefit'cing fxom thB employment of child labour.