SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13529, 10 November 1911, Page 7

SHOPS AND OFFICES ACT.

A TAILOR FINED. (Per United Press Association.) .. WELLINGTON, November 10. -H the Magistrate’s Court to-day Thog. Page, a tailor, was fined £3 for a breach of the tailors’ award in allowing work to be done for him on premises occupied by an operative. It was contended 'that Pago had - paid the rent of the house, which was registered as his factory. The inspector suggested that defendant had never paid the rent until the proceedings were taken. Sylvia Smith was fined £ 1 for a breach of the tailoresses’ award. The defendant, an apprentice, left her employment without completing her apprenticeship. The inspector stated that the case had been brought simply to show girls that .they must not change round from one employer to another in order to get more wages. There had been a great shortage of female labour for some years, and employers would do anything to obtain girls. In many cases the employees were not so much to blame as the employers, the rivalry among the firms being so keen that inducements were offered girls to change their employment. AN APPEAL DISMISSED. The Closing Hour—9 p.m. WELLINGTON, November 10. Judgment was given by the Chief Justice to-day in an appeal case under the Shops and Offices Act; Archer, a draper, was convicted and fine one shilling by the Magistrate for having employed an assistant after 9 p.m. Counsel for appellant contended that half an hour’s grace was allowed, after which the employment of assistants became a penal offence. The Solicitor-General maintained that 9 o’clock was the absolute time. It was admitted that the sale was made at 9.15. His Honor said the appellant had been rightly convicted, and the appeal must be dismissed. Sub-section 3, providing for half an hour's grace, was not meant to apply to breaches of sub-section 1 of section 3, under which the appellant had been prosecuted. The plain meaning of the statute was that 9 p.m. was the closing hour, and he saw no reason why it should be departed from.

Members of the “Herald” staff tins morning gathered round “the stone”—a time-honoured custom on such occasions to say good-bye and make a presentation to Mr C. H. Walker, who has severed his connection with the pacer for the purpose of joining the Hawera Star. The presentation took the form of a handsome Lid serviceable “travelling companion,” and in handing the souvenir to Mr Walker, the editor (Mr F. Webb-Jones) expressed regret at the severance of the ties of business and friendship with which Mr Walker had so long been bound with the “Herald.” Mr Jones referred in eulogistic terms to the industry, enterprise, and capacity with which Mr Walker had brought to bear on the several positions he had occupied sbice he joined the staff as office-boy in 1888, and the fact that he had within seven years risen to the position of manager was an eloquent tribute to his ability and a record anyone might be proud of. On behalf of the staff Mr Jones asked Mr Walker to accept the gift as a slight token of their esteein and friendship, and expressed the hope that success would continue to attend his efforts in his new sphere of influence. Mr Walker feelingW acknowledged the gift, which he would treasure as a memento of the happy relations which had existed amongst the staff for so many years. In acknowledging a similar compliment from his business friends an evening or two ago, Mr, Walker said he had expressed the hope that be would find as good business friends in his now sphere. He would supplement that remark by the further hope that die would meet just as fine a lot of; fellow workers >’n Hawera as be had on the “Wanganui Herald” staff. . J'