GENERAL SUES SECRETARY

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 December 1933, Page 2

GENERAL SUES SECRETARY

MILK ROUND WORK. Damages of 5/-, but no costs, were awarded at Brighton County Court recently, to Lt.-Gen. Sir George F. Gorringe, of Kingston-by-Sea, near Brighton, against Mi- William S. Swanson, Spring-gardens, Southwick, his former secretary. The General claimed £lO damages for breach of contract. Judge Austin Jones expressed the opinion that the action was “oppressive,” and refused leave to appeal. Mr F. H. Carpenter, for plaintiff, said that Mi- Swanson was engaged as secretary at £lO a month for the first three months, and £l2 afterwards, the engagement to be terminable tyy three months’ notice. He began work on July 1, and on August io, owing to a milk roundsman leaving suddenly, he agreed to assist in distributing the milk from plaintiff’s farm for a few days. On August 14,

Sir George asked Mr Swanson why the milk had not been separated. After an argument, Mr Swanson left suddenly, and refused to work any more. Sir George was not taking action vindictively, but as a deterrent to future employees, who might leave without notice. Sir George Gorringe gave evidence. Mr Pensotti (for Mr Swanson): He was not bound to work as a milk roundsman was he?—No, but J expect cd him Io lend a hand just as I do. Mr Swanson, in evidence, said that he worked 95 hours a week. The general told him to see that the roundsmen's sheets did not exceed 48 hours. He did not want to do the milk round, but “one doesn’t speak to the general unless one is prepared for the sack.”