WORK ON ANZAC DAY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10384, 1 May 1925, Page 5

WORK ON ANZAC DAY

FARMERS PROSECUTED.

CONVICTED AND DSSCHARGED.

FIRST OASES IN DOMINION. Charges of working on Anzac Day, the first heard in New Zealand were brought before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Ashburton Police Court this morning. ~ Robert Dalton, of Riverside Thos. Leddy, also of Riverside, and William Maxwell, of Beach Road, Ashburton, were each charged that they did work at tlieir trade and calling within view of the public by working their teams or horses on Anzac Day, this being a Sunday. Dalton pleaded guilty and said he did not think of the seriousness of his action. He was ai poor, struggling farmer, behind in his work. The Magistrate: But Anzac Day is more sacred than a Sunday. Senior-Sergeant D. Jackson stated that he went into the country and saw Dalton working a team. In reply to the speaker, he said others were ploughing, and he thought he would do a little too. The charges were laid under the legislation passed in 1922. Defendant said he had 70 acres of land and employed no men. He was ploughing a few acres for wheat. The Magistrate examined the Statutes and said he was not too satisfied regarding the matter. The original Act was passed in 1920, and said that April 25 in each year shall be observed throughout New Zealand in all respects as a Sunday. Defendant was convicted and discharged. Leddy also pleaded guilty, and was convicted and discharged. —Senior-Sergeant Jackson said defendant had stopped work as soon as lie was spoken to. Maxwell entered a similar plea, and was similarly dealt with.