CHEFS CLAIM FOR WAGES

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 92, 19 April 1921, Page 8

CHEFS CLAIM FOR WAGES

Alleged wrongful dismissal was the subject of a claim by Harold J. Brooks, at present chef at an hotel in Masterton, against E. Limbrick, proprietor of the Club Hotel, Blenheim, at the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr. W. 6. Riddell, S.M. The plaintiff, who claimed a sum of £38 10s, gave evidence that on the !Bth February, 1920, when in Wellington, he received a telegram from the defendant asking him to go to Blenheim on one year's engagement at £5 10s per week. Plaintiff did so, entering defendant's employ a week later. Aftor a lapse of six months, his wages were inoroased to £6. On the 26th November plaintiff received forty-eight hours' notioo of his dismissal, the defendant giving no reason other than that ho dosired to make a ohange. Plaintiff came to Wellington, and was for seven weeks out of employment, and therefore claimed wages for the period. The evidence of the defendant was to the effect that although the plaintiff did satisfactory work for the first six months he afterwards became careless, and defendant had to frequently remonstrate with him. Ho had also to complain about waste in the kitchen. Defendant admitted that the plaintiff was a competent chef, and that ho had to contend with defective stove and coal while in his employ. The Magistrate was satisfied that the plaintiff had entered into defendant's employ on a twelve months' engagement, and that he should have received one month's notioe of dismissal. Judgment was given for plaintiff for £24, with costs and expenses amounting to £5 6s. Mr. P. J. O'Regan appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell for tho defendant.