ABSENT APPRENTICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 103, 3 May 1929, Page 8

ABSENT APPRENTICE.

EXCUSE ACCEPTED. STRANDED AT MOTOR CAMP. JUDGE FRAZER'S COMMENTS. Accepting the excuse that he had been stranded by the condition of the clayroads near Silverdale, and was unable to get to his place of employment, the Arbitration Court this morning upheld the appeal of William Double, a 19-year-old apprentice to the liairdressing trade, against his dismissal by H. G. Sutcliffe, of Upper Queen Street. Oil behalf of appellant, Mr. C. S. Leahy said that on Good Friday Double had gone camping with his father in the Silverdale district, but, owing to heavy rain and the condition of the clay roads, he could not be got through to his place of employment the following day. Double was discharged by his employer on the grounds that he was disobedient and had been absent from work twice previously. Evidence was given by appellant that lie was in his fourth year of apprenticeship, twelve months of which had been served with Sutcliife. lie admitted that he had been absent from work at Christmas with a gashed hand, and again at Easter, when his emploer had advised him not to go camping unless he could get back for work on the Saturday. Mr. Sutcliife complained that the youth had not troubled to come across and report his accident at Christmas time. His injury was to the left hand, and he would have been useful for doing odd jobs at a busy period. "I was going to discharge him then," he added, "as I was sore over my loss, but I decided to giro him another chance." Mr. Sutcliffe alleged that he had received complaints from customers that Double had asked them for money, and aiso that •businesses near his establishment had "stood him tick." Mr. Leahy: That is an absolute lie. His Honor Mr. Justice Frazer assured counsel that he would disregard anything that Mr. Sutcliife should not -ay. Mr. Sutcliffe added that he had impressed upon the boy the necessity of being at work on the day following Good Friday. When he did not turn up, hedischarged him. He could not do more for the boy, who was a good tradesman and honest. His Honor, in upholding the appeal, said the main trouble appeare-l to be Double's absence from work at unfortunate periods. At Christmas he had been absent 011 medical advice, and at Easter the clerk of the weather had taken a part in the game when the boywent camping at Silverdale. The Court was not prepared to say that the excuse was not genuine. There would have been justification for his dismissal had he deliberately flouted his instructions. Double would be given the benefit of the doubt, but it would be advisable to transfer him to another position. This will be done if possible by the secretary of the Hairdressers' Union.