CLAIM FOR WAGES.

Putaruru Press, Volume VIII, Issue 360, 16 October 1930, Page 5

CLAIM FOR WAGES.

PLAINTIFF NONSUITED. Farming Practice Questioned. At the October sitting of the Putaruru Court, before Mr. S. L. PaterI son, S.M., John Wright (Mr. A. L. I Mason) proceeded against Allan M. Duthie (Mr. J. R. O. Loehhead) to recover- £9 14s 7d balance of wages due. Plaintiff gave evidence that he had started to work for the defendant (a farmer) at £1 per week. This was Intqr increased to £1 5s per week, and he was paid in full up to the end of April. He agreed to take 15s per week during the winter, defendant undertaking to make up the balance of 10s weekly at the beginning of the season. He agreed to take the 15s weekly because Duthie said that he could not afford to pay more during the winter. Plaintiff was offered a job at White’s at 30s per week, but he declined it in view of defeandant’s new arrangement.

Arthur St. John White gave evidence as to offering Wright employment at 30s per week. The defendant stated that at the end of April he thought it would be necessary for him to have to leave the farm, and he gave Wright notice. Later, when defendant found that he would be able to carry on he offered! him 15s per week during the winter time, to be increased when the milking season started to 25s per week. Should butter fat become a payable proposition Wright was to get 30s per week, and if he stayed the full season he would be given £8 harvest bonus. Wright agreed to these terms. It was the usual thing among farmers to pay reduced wages to their employees during the winter months.

Cross-examined as to why Wright should refuse White’s offer, Duthie said that Wright had told him that he declined White’s offer because the conditions at White’s house did not appeal to him.

Mrs. Duthie gave evidence corroborative of her husband. James L. Brown, farmer, of Puketurua, stated that it was the usual thing among dairy farmers in the Waikato to reduce wages during the winter months.

The Magistrate said that it was impossible to say which of the parties gave a correct interpretation of the arrangement, Both stories seemed probable. Plaintiff would be nonsuited, with £3 costs.