BREACH OF ACT ALLEGED

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 116, 14 February 1928, Page 15

BREACH OF ACT ALLEGED

BARMAID ACQUITTED BY JURY. Dominion Special Service. Auckland, February 13. The Licensing Amendment Act of 1910, by which restrictions were placed on the employment of women as barmaids, was the basis of a case heard before Mr. Justice Reed and a jury in the Supreme Court to-day, when Marie Louisa Burgess, married, was charged with making a false declaration before a Justice of the Peace. The accused pleaded not guilty. Prosecuting on behalf of the Crown, Mr. V. R, Meredith explained that the legislation of 1910 did not deprive existing barmaids of their situations, but was framed to prevent further engagement of women as barmaids in New Zealand hotels. The clause covering the employment of women who were already barmaids laid it down that if for a period of two years or more they ceased to be so employed they should not be allowed to be re-employed. In March last year accused made a sworn declaration before John Newdick, J.P., in which she gave particulars regarding her work at various hotels. The dates to which she had sworn made it appear that she had not been out of employment as a barmaid for a continuous period of two years. The point to be decided, said counsel, was whether Mrs. Burgess had or had not been continuously employed. Giving evidence, Mrs. Burgess said she was living apart from her husband, who allowed her <£2 a week. She had one child to support, and 'wanted to reobtain employment as a barmaid. Her little girl was ill, and what witness received was not sufficient to support them and pay doctors' and chemists’ bills. It was quite true that she was employed at a drapery establishment for a long time, but she had a holiday each year. During these holidays she worked as a barmaid in order to keep her certificate. ’I here was one hotel at which she had worked which she did not mention in the declaration. 'The jury returned a verdict of not guilty, and the accused was discharged.