MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 34, 19 November 1943, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

AWARD BREACHES PENALISED.

RESERVED DECISION GIVEN. A reserved decision, was given by Mr H. Morgan, S.M., in the Ashburton Magistrate’s Court this morning in connection with a case involving five breaches of the Private Hotel Employees’ Award, heard a fortnight ago. The case was one in which the Labour Department alleged that Margaret Radcliffe, at Westport (formerly of the Grand Central Hotel), failed to pay for overtime worked by Dorothy Sullivan, Bromwyne Grice and Alma Taylor, failed to pay the minimum award wages to Grice and failed to keep a correctly-recorded wages and time book.

“I am satisfied that four of the alleged breaches were proved,” said the Magistrate. Three of them were the employment of Sullivan, Grice and Taylor in excess of 44 hours weekly and failing to pay them overtime. The charge of failing to keep a wages and time book for the three girls has also been proved. Failure to pay Grice the minimum wage has not been proved.” So far as Taylor was concerned, said the Magistrate, there seemed to be some agreement between her and Radcliffe, and the latter had therefore some excuse for not giving lier a fall day off every week. The girl hrd wanted to defer her days off and take several together. Such agreements, however, were contrary to the regulations, and it Avas foolish for employers and employees to enter into them. It might seem desirable at the time, but later, as in the present case, disagreements arose. Radcliffe was fined £5 for each of the breaches concerning Sullivan and Grice, and £2 for the breach in connection with Taylor. She was also fined £5 for failing to keep, a wages and time book.

Sullivan, Grice and Taylor Avei-e each fined £2 for failing to claim overtime.

Information Dismissed

Delivering another reserved decision, the Magistrate dismissed an information of having faded to return military equipment brought on last Court day against George Harley Anderson Boyd. The grounds for the dismissal were that it was not proved that the equipment Avas in Boyd’s possession when the information was laid. Two Items In the charge included two collar badges, one hat badge, one hat band, one fork, one felt hat, ground sheet, one spoon, two toAvels and one pair of drill trousers. Civil Oases. Judgment for plaintiff by default for £1 16s 9d was given in the case, Wright, Stephenson and Co., v. G. F. Young. The Tinwald Town Board was given judgment by default for costs only (7s) against M. H. Harris.