WORKING ON SUNDAY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1920, Page 1

WORKING ON SUNDAY

A FARMER FINED. DUNEDIN, Jan. 16. Alexander Ellis, a small farmer, was fined in the City Police Court this morning by Air Bartholomew, S.M., for working in his paddock adjacent to -he Kaikorai Valley road, on the Sabbath. It was stated by Constable West that on Sunday, December 14th, the defend--ant, after waiting till the church bells ceased ringing, went to work drilling and manuring with a team of two horses and a small hoy. He could he seen from the road. The constable considered further that the work that was being done by Ellis could have been done during tho week, but Ellis stated emphatically that as he had been delivering’his milk and-doing other necessary work all the week, and as the season was a late one, it was absolutely essential that he should get his turnips in as soon as possible. He admitted, however, that ho had worked on the two previous Sundays also.

Mr Bartholomew, in giving his decision, said that a magistrate in the North island had held that farming operations did not come within the provisions of the Act. He (Mr Bartholomew), however, did not consider this decision a sound one. In regard to the present ease, he said the question arose as to whether the- work came within the proviso relating to necessary work. No doubt, a good defence could l be put up at any time in the case of farming and gardening. However-, tho defendant had failed to satisfy him that the work being done was of greaturgency. Further, lie had to take into consideration the fact that Ellis had worked on the two previous Sundays. Defendant would he convicted, and a fine of ss, with costs (7s) would be inflicted.