UNUSUAL CHARGE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20225, 1 May 1931, Page 6

UNUSUAL CHARGE.

APPRENTICE ABSENT FROM WORK. An unusual charge, described by an officer of the Labour Department .is the first of its nature .ever made in Christchurch. was beard in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when an apprentice, Phillip Rossmore Stowell, aged 19, was charged with absenting himself from his employer's service during the hours of work, the Labour Department claiming a penalty of £5. An officer of the Labour Department stated that Stowell had not been attonding his work regularly for some time, to the inconvenience of his employer, and to the detriment of his own training. On one occasion when the accused was away from work the officer visited his home. He was hot to be found, and was not staying away through any indisposition. His parents had no knowledge of his absonting himself It was difficult to get at the reason for his behaviour. An examination of the time-book showed that ho had rarely attended work for a full week tor some time. In August tlie bov bad promised to attend worlt regularly, but did not scom to have lived up to his promise.;. "We have never taken this action before in Christchurch, but the boy must be made to realise thai ho must attend his work as part of the contract," the oflicer stated. When questioned, Stowoll stated that his apprenticeship had iNiothor year to run He was getting 4os a week, he told.the Magistrate, Mr E. D. Mosley Ho was quick to agree with Mr Mosley that he would not like to receive n thrashing "I don't get on too well with mv boss," he said, when asked why lie absented himself. "Just what I can spare of my wages goes home," Stowell stated. Mr Mosley: How much can you spare the Court? You must have it brought homo, to you that you muet art as a reasonable individual towards your employer. You need to attend to your work in order to become an efficient journeyman. Judgment was given against the defendant for £2 and costs.