Poverty Bay Standard. Published Every Evening. GISBORNE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1883.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1281, 23 February 1883, Page 2

Poverty Bay Standard. Published Every Evening. GISBORNE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1883.

The action taken by Mr. Gough, a master plasterer and contractor, now engaged upon the new Union Bank premises against a workman, should be a leHson, not alone to those engaged by letter or telegram, to do certain work, but also to employers of labor. The facts are simply these:—M.r. Gough received a letter from a plasterer named McGuire asking for work, and the former replied by telegram that he could give the applicant a job on the Bank building which would last u six months or more.” McGuire came to Gisborne and wrked, receiving as wages fifteen shillings a day, for about four months. Having put on one side a nice little nest-egg, he suddenly informed Mr. Gough of his intention to leave Gisborne by the first boat; that is he was paid on Saturday night, and was going away on Monday morning Mr. Gough determined to see if such a proceedure on McGuire’s part was not a breach of an implied contract, and took out a speedv summons. The case was heard, and tfie custom of the trade proved to be that when a contractor sends to some distant part for a man to perform certain specified work, pays the man’s passage to the place whereat the work is to be performed, it is, in fact, a binding contract. Usage makes the law, and, from the evidence, it appeared clear that McGuire in leaving as he did, not only committed a breach of the rules of the trade, but also rendered himself liable according to the law of the land. Time after time the employers of labor here have had to send away for workmen, pay passages, and then what ?—find they have done so for somebody else. The men secure a few pounds, become in a measure independent, kick up their heels, and consign their employers to sultry climes. Mr. Gough deserves the thanks of contractors, and in fact of all employers of labor, for having brought to the testing point a question in which a very large number of people, resident in the Bay, are largely interested, and we are glad to see that Mr. Price ruled as he did, thus giving a precedent should such another action oe brought on.