MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8331, 12 January 1907, Page 6

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

MASTERTON—FRIDAY. (Before Mr W. P. James, S.M.) Denis McMullen was fined 10s and 7s costs for allowing his horse, which was attached to a cart, to remain unattended in Queen Street. J. R. Nicol was charged with having employed a shop assistant on the statutory half-holiday. It was stated by defendant that an arrangement had been made whereby the assistant received a share of the profits of the business instead of wages. The Magistrate reserved judgment. Five charges of having employed shop-assistants on the statutory halfholiday were preferred against R. E. Howell and Co., auctioneers. It was stated that the assistants had been employed on the half-holiday at sales held in private houses, and not on the firm's business premises. The Magistrate held that the assistants were entitled, under the Act, to their half-holiday as well as other shop assistants. He said that the defendants were not only auctioneers but they also exposed goods for sale and conducted a retail trade, thus bringing themselves within the definition of shop-keepers. Defendants were fined 20s on one charge, the remaining four charges being withdrawn. Mr B. J. Dolan appeared for the prosecution, and Mr C. A. Pownall for the defendants. Frank Hole was charged with having attempted to drive a vehicle across the railway line at Lincoln Road , when an engine was approaching. A fine of ss, with 13s costs, was imposed. A charge against Annie Farmer for having travelled in a train while suffering from scarlet fever, an infectious disease, and neglecting to notify the guard, and for appearing in a public place while suffering from the same complaint, was adjourned until January 21st, as the defendant was not well enough to appear at the Court. Mr B. J. Dolan appeared for the defendant.