BREACH OF THE FACTORIES ACT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81860, 9 October 1906, Page 2

BREACH OF THE FACTORIES ACT.

A i the S.M. Court on Monday morning Mi A. Donald, Inspector of Factories, charged Hal Goodacre, proprietor of the Fgmont Bout Factory, New Plymouth, with having employed a boy, George Macfarlane, who was under 14 years of age, and with having so employed him without the consent of the Inspector. This case was the outcome of investigations following the recent accident in the factory by which the boy Macfarlane lost three fingers of his left hand. Mr QuilUam appeared for the Inspector and Mr Roy for the defendant.' Mr Hoy said that at the time the boy was engaged Mr Goodaere was away, and the foreman was only recently employed and not conversant with the |a\vs of the colony. The lad saicl he was 14 yea, 1 * of age, and had passed the fourth standard. Section 26 required, of course, that a certificate was required for boys under 14. The S.M. : So far as the first charge is concerned, you were misled by 'he boy, but that dot's not absolve you fiom the second charge,' MY Roy continued that Macfarlane. was an errand boy, but later was employee! in dropping- rivets in a hole. An accident occurred (for which no one was culpable), hence the prc'sent proceedings. There was a technical bleach, but he did not think defendant should )je heavily fined, as the parents of the boy were somewhat to blame also, Mr Quilliam differed. This was no case for a light penally. The boy was employed for a week before beingasked his age, and he was put to work on a heeling machine. As a result of the accident Macfarlane had lost three lingers of \\h hand, and was mutilated for life.

Evidence was giyen by Knicst L,inIhorn, foreman at ihc factory, \yhc> stated tlial the buy answered 'an advci'is'Tiicnt for an errand boy. Witness was under the impression 'at tho I tiny he engaged (he lad that he had been interrogated by Nodder, another employee, to whom the boy had just addressed himself, as to his age and school standing. He made the'se inquiries himself within an hour of. die employment of Macfarlane, who ran messages, did odd jobs about the plate, .such as dropping the nails into the heeling' maehmc, and so on. The boy ili(| not tyork (lie machine' To Mr Quilliam: lie was qui'to sure of his evidence. Tho boy was put to work on the heeling- machine a quartetof an hour after his employment. This was the u'sual work given to newboys. The questions were asked him within an hour of hi-: employment. \\ itl,o M t ihe calling' of eyidenee by Mr Quilliam, the S.M. held the first charge to be fully proved, and inflicted a fine of 40; and costs. j