S.M. Court.

Manawatu Herald, 18 May 1899, Page 2

S.M. Court.

This Day. (Before A. Greenfield, Esq., S:Ml) CIVIL. Walsh & Howan v. Fred Hadfield, claim £6 os 6d. No appearance of defendant. Judgment by default for amount with costs, 14s. T. Wanklyn v. Richard Graham, claim £3 os 6d. No appearands" of defendant. Judgment for amount by default with costs, 7s 6d. CRIMINAL. George Coley was charged that lie being the occupier of a factory within the meaning of " The Factories Act, 1884," did unlawfully fail to grant a half-holiday from the hour of^one o'clock on the afternoon of Saturday, 29th April, to one named James Dunn aged 16, and Frederick Walls aged 16, employees, Saturday being the day on which the said employees should have half-holiday from one o'clock p.m. as provided by Section 63 of "The Factories Act, 1894." The defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr Shannaghan (Inspector of Factories), appeared on behalf of the De« partment. John Forster produced his appoint* ment as Inspector of Factories for the Foxton district. On Saturday, 29th April, visited Mr Coley'6 factory and saw the boys mentioned at work at a quarter past three. He asked their ages, and said they were sixteen. He knew they had had a half-holiday in the week. . George Coley said the boys had had a half-holiday during the week. The industry depended on the weather, and though millers did not object to the half-holiday, it was impossible to give a fixed day. He employed two boys to twenty uien, and it was necessary to keep the hands going. The weather could not be fixed. The Inspector said the Act fixed Saturday as the half-holiday. It would be very inconvenient if alternate days were allowed. The only provision in the Act to allow work on a Saturday was shown in Section 55, and only five such occasions could be allowed in one year. It was to prevent young people who lost time, making it up. The Department had no desire to press for a penalty. In March last a similar ofa fence had been committed. Mr Greenfield fined the defendant 10s, and costs 7s. Arthur Edwards was charged with being in arrears of maintenance of his illegitimate child. No proof of service of order having been made, the case was adjourned to the next Court day. *•