TRAINING OF STEEPLEJACKS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 8969, 7 November 1907, Page 1

TRAINING OF STEEPLEJACKS.

At St. Helens a .steeplejack named John Thomas Akions, of Glockface Boad, was summoned on four charges of causing his children, Gertrude, aged seven, Lydia, aged 13, and Baden, aged live, to act as steeplejacks, contrary to the Dangerous Performances of Children Act, 1897. H The defendant admitted that the childrm climbed a chimney, but said it was not a public performance. Mr Thomas Stevens, manager of the Roughdalcs Brickworks, gave evidence that the chimney at their works, which was 110 ft. high, was being repaired by the defedudant. He was present at the works when the defendant’s children ascended the chimney. Witness considered the performance dangerous, and ho had put a notice on the base of the chimney “prohibiting any of the workmen' from attempting to climb the chimney. Witness, in reply to the Bench,'said the younger children were closely followed up the ladder by their elder brother. Ho did not prevent the children going np, as the defendant said he would take the whole responsibility. The defendant, in a long statement, said it had been a custom in Jus family to train the children from the moment they could walk. Wiien the children came to the works with meals they wanted to go up the ladder, so'they were encouraged to do so, but he or his sou went np with them. The chairman said the Bench regarded this as a most objectionable proceeding, but, as the defendant entered on it under a misapprehension, they would order him to pay the costs, and would hind him over not to permit his children to go up chimneys again until they were of the legal age.