COMFORT AND HEALTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1922, Page 4

COMFORT AND HEALTH.

CONDITIONS FOR SHOP EMPLOYEES ' , PROSECUTIONS IN TIMARU. ■ = -1 ■i + r B? Telegraph.—Press Aaaorfatleo. Timaru, Last Night. Half-a-dozen Timaru drapers were prosecuted to-<Uy by the Inspector of Shops and Offices, under section 31 of the Shope and Offices Act, requiring suitable heating appliances to be provided. The principal contention of the proaecution was that the Act required, provision to be made for “the comfort and health of the employees.” Mr. W. D. Campbell, for the defence, argued that the temperaturro disclosed 42 to 45 degrees, which was not prejudicial to health. Dr. Talbot, Diploma of Public Health, Cambridge, gave evidence to this effect, while several shop-keepers testified that their employees had never been ill through cold. Dr. Telford, medical officer for Canterbury, described the physiological effects of chills, and pointed out how these were liable to be contracted by employees. Most of the defendants had made provision and subsequent informations were laid, but only one, said the inspector, was satisfactory and two were partiaMy so. The Magistrate (Mr. Mosley)-qeaid he would examine the appliances and the effects in the shops and he reserved Um decision.