A MISTRESS AND HER MAID

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 239, 15 February 1911, Page 3

A MISTRESS AND HER MAID

BEEOItE THE CUI'UT. ''l asked lier, your Woivhip, tu clean the .steps and she told me if 1 wanted the steps cleaned to do it myself!" This was how Mrs. Helen Hughes, proprietress of the Burlington Dining Rooms, opened her evidence at the Magistrate's Court yesterday when she sought to obtain the .sum of llis from her one-time servant girl, Miss .Mabel Grace Thome. Plaintiff conducted her own case, and Mr. F. E. Wilson appeared for the defendant. The statement of claim was as follows:—To two days wages at 12s per week paid into Court, such amount being two (lays' wages out of the period of one weeu's notice that the said Mabel G. Thorne had given to the said Helen Hughes, and on which two days the said Mabel Grace Thorne had refused to carry out the legitimate duties for which she was engaged. To one week's wages in lieu of notice i2s and 4s; total 16s.

His Worship could not understand this. Mr. Wilson stated that some time ago Miss Thorne sued Mrs. llughes for moneys held back from her wages, and Mrs. Hughes paid tlie amount into Court. Now she wanted it back again. Mrs. Hughes said Miss Thorne had refused to do the work, had stayed all one day at her place and done nothing, and besides, had been impertinent: Plaintiff had paid the money into Court on the advice of a lawyer. She asked, "Was the girl entitled to stay 'iiv my place and do nothing?" "\"o," said Mr. Fitisjierbert, "but that is where you made the mistake. You could'have dismissed her at once, and She would have had no claim upon you." His Worship said the mutter had been settled and could not be re-opened, and all he could do was to nonsuit the plaintiff. Costs were not claimed by defend-. arit's solicitor.