SHOP ASSISTANTS' HOURS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8046, 8 February 1906, Page 2

SHOP ASSISTANTS' HOURS.

ENFORCING Till' ACT. At the.S.M. Court, New Plymouth, ou AVednosday, the Inspector of: Factories proceeded against James Seanlan, manager of llic Melbourne Clothing Company, for having on Saturday night, January 27th, kepi one of the shop assistants, il. H. Edgecombe, employed "later than half-an-hour after the time prescribed by Section ;i of t lilt Shops oml Olfiees Act " as the closing hour Cor assistants.

A plea of "Iguilty" was entered, the manager stating that rush of business was the reason for the breach of the

Mr Quilliam prosecuted on behalf of the Department of Labour, lie pointed out that the hours for assistants were fixed under the Act. In the present case, the circumstances were that ou the evening in question the Inspector of Factories visited (lie defendant's shop at ola p.m., and found the place crowded with customers. lie informed the manager that if the assistants did not cease work at 11.3(1, the firm would lie liable for a breach of the Act, The Inspector visited the shop again at D.US, in company with Constable llusscll, and found the premises still crowded. At a quarter to ten lie called hack again, and found the mine conditions prevailing, and us Edgecombe was still attending customers, lie laid an information. Mr Quilliam went 011 to say that the Department did not press for a heavy penally, as the defendant had pleaded guilty, and as I tic case was the first of tile kind that had been heard, under the new Act. which, as distinguished from the old Act, allowed the shops to be kept open later, so long as the assistants were not employed after the fixed hours. The present proceedings were taken to show shopkeepers that the Act will be enforced, in fairness to the other tradesmen who conform with the Act.

His Worship indicted a Hue of ss, with 7s Court costs amll'l Is solicitor's