Contractors and Their Men.

Northland Age, 27 September 1904, Page 2

Contractors and Their Men.

An appeal case of importance to contractors and others was (says the 44 Mudgee Guardian”) the other day decided by Ac’tifcrg Judge Armstrong, in the District Court at Lismore (N.S.W.). In a recent police action a Casino laborer named Keating obtained a verdict against O’Connor and Croke, road contractors, for £6 10/- wages, which had been deducted by defendants for board while on the job, the police magistrate giving judgment in accordance with the fifth section of the Truck Act, which provides that wages must be paid with current coin of the realm, and that no set-off, such us goods sold and delivered, could go against the wages claim. Mr. Browning, on behalf of the defendant contractors, appealed against the verdict on the grounds that it was an established bush custom for a road contractor to provide a cook and victuals for road men outside of town centres, and to deduct lira per week for board from every man’s wages. The appellants called o disinterested contractor, who said it \va,s impossible to get Toad laborers in the bush unless a cook and victuals were supplied by the contractors. His Honor upheld the appeal, and allowed £7 7s costs against the plaintiff Keating.