MERCER MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 169, 28 April 1916, Page 1

MERCER MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wednesday, April 19th. j (Before Mr F. V. Frazer, 8 M.)

CIVIL ACTIONS. Judgment by default was entered for the respective plaintiffs in each of the following civil actions, viz. : H. S. Valentine and Co. v. H. Grey, Pukekohe, for £7 2s lOd and costs 13s ; State Advances Superintendent v. John Hill, Maungatawhiri Valley, for £27 6s 9d and costs £1 13s; C. A. Walden, Pokeno, v. C. Seed, Pokeno Valley, for £8 3s lid and costs 15s.

JUDGMENT SUMMONSES. Orders for payment were made against William Hodge (labourer, Kauri Timber Co., Auckland), W. Kaka (a Maori, of Churchill) and Sandy Whareke (a Maori, of Churchill).

BfiEACII 01 AWAUD. Proceedings were instituted against Frank Gimblett, licemea of the Mercer Hotel, by the Inspector of Factories (Mr J. Hallows for failing to pay a cook, a housemaid and a waitress for overtime they had worked and for neglecting to allow thorn one full day's holiday in each week.

Mr Brewer, of Auckland, representing Mr Gimblett, pleaded ignorance on the part of his client on the grounds that he had only recently taken over control of the business after being in private life for six years. The time book had been entered up in a haphazard fashion, but he had given the Inspector a full explanation when he perused the book.

The Magistrate remarked that defendant should have acquainted himself with the award before entering into businees. The excuse he had offered was poor in face of the fact that by enquiring at the Employers' Association or the Labour Department he would have been supplied with particulars re the award. He had, however, acted in honest ignorance, but it was unexcusable. On the understanding that the overtime was repaid defendant was lined 10s and 7s Court costs in respect to each of the first three charges, and 16s lid Inspector'* costs, and 10s for each breach in reference to the holiday question.