OPEN AFTER HOURS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 257, 26 July 1930, Page 19

OPEN AFTER HOURS

Jeweller Fined

Evidence that defendant had begged him to let him off and not to proceed with a prosecution was given in the Police Court yesterday by the Inspector of Factories in a case against Victor Brownson, jeweller (Mr. Meltzer), who was fined on two counts. The charges were that defendant failed to close his shop nt 9 p.tn. and employed an assistant after 9 p.m. • . F. W. Ashby. Inspector of Factories, said that he called nt defendant’s shop on the corner of Boulcott and Willis Streets at 9.10 p.m. on the night concerned. The shop was still open. A girl who gave her age as 15 years was workiug on price tickets at the back of the shop. , .. Mr. Meltzer submitted that the action against defendant was somewhat trivial. Reasonable latitude should be given a shopkeeper to see that his shop was made properly secure. Defendant was engaged at the time in locking his showcases. His clock showed tho hour as 9.2 p.m. The girl had finished work at 9 p.m. and if she was still working after that time she did so voluntarily. Defendant and his assistant gave evidence in support. The magistrate said he did not look upon tho evidence of defendant as altogether acceptable. He entertained no doubt that the inspector had given an accurate account of what had taken place. It was stated that defendant had been convicted on a similar charge three years ago. lie had been warned about employing labour after hours, and about the closing of his shop. Brownson was fined £5 on the first charge and £1 on the second.