AFTER DISMISSAL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 44, 21 February 1942, Page 8

AFTER DISMISSAL

EMPLOYEE'S DAMAGES CLAIM The action by Ernest Bristow Millen (Mr. Beckerleg) against Brown Bros, and Geddes, Ltd. (Mr. V. R. Meredith), in which plaintiff claimed £225 alleged to be due under contract of employment, and £500 general damages for alleged unwarranted dismissal, was continued before Mr. Justice Fair and a jury in the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon. In his further evidence plainWff dealt with incidents which he said indicated that he was obstructed in the competent fulfilment of his duties as superintendent by the demeanour and attitude of the managing director, Mr. C. G. Macindoe, towards him and interference by Mr. Macindoe. Witness said he had never spoken offensively of Mr. Macindoe, but had heard others speak offensively of him. Eventually he received notice of dismissal before the contract time of his trial period had expired.

Cross-examined, the witness admitted he had forgotten having seen complaints from customers, and having reported on them. He said he had changed the chocolate formula because of a shortage of the ingredients for the customary formula. He had not known that the employees could tell the chocolate he made by its smell, and that they did not like it and would not buy it, even at the reduced rates allowed to employees. It was news to him, he said, that the heads of all departments agreed in a few davs that he did not know the business. He denied that Mr. Hogwood, in charge of the boiling department, had told him he didn't know his business. , Plaintiff was under cross-examina-tion when the case was adjourned till Monday.