A FRIENDLY TURN.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 121, 18 February 1926, Page 5

A FRIENDLY TURN.

BUT AN ILLEGAL ONE. Service Not Continuous. An unusual charge of attempting t(s obtain a certificate under the Inspection of Machinery Act by fraud, representing that he was in tire employ of a cheese factory from May 5 till November 20, 1925, whereas up to August 7 of that period he was in the employ of the railway workshops at Wanganui, was brought against a young man named Thomas Place on Friday. A dairy factory manager of Matamata named B. Barnes was also charged with giving Price a false testimonial of service. Mr. Gray appeared for the defendants, who pleaded guilty. Mr. H. T. Gillies, for the Marine Department, said that while employed at the Wanganui workshops Price went on holiday to Matamata, and from May 26 to July 5 he assisted in the boiler house at the local cheese factory. In order to help Price secure a billet, Barnes gave him a certificate to the effect that he had- been assisting on boiler work for six months. Mr. Gray stated that Price had previously been employed as a boiler assistant at the Kaupokonui factory for several months, and really had eight months’ experience as a boiler hand.

His Worship said he saw no distinction between Price and Barnes. They had put their heads together to get Price a certificate falsely. The object of the Inspection of Machinery Act was the protection of life, and for an unqualified person to get a certificate by fraud was a serious matter and could not be Heated lightly. Each defendant was convicted and fined £5 and costs. —Auckland Star report.