FAILURE TO WORK.

Gisborne Times, Volume LI, Issue 5345, 4 December 1919, Page 7

FAILURE TO WORK.

MAGISTRATE'S INDIGNATION

'DISGRACE TO HIS SEX."

MAINTENANCE ORDER NOT COMPLIED WITH.

case, which occasioned some plain speaking from the Bench, came before Mr J. S. Barton, S.M., yesterday when Amy Jeffrey proceeded against Bertram Jeffrey for failure to comply with a maintenance order of 27s per week, the arrears amounting to £lsl 5s Bd. Defendant admitted the order and amount in arrears, and that he had been before the Court on a similar charge two months ago. He said that since that case was heard, his earnings had not averaged 30s per week. lie had only earned £lO during that time. He had now commenced to work at the freezing works. In answer to questions from the Magistrate defendant said that on one day he had earned £2, and that his average earnings would be over £1 per day. His Worship: You did about six or seven days work in two months. The sun had risen and set 60 times during that time, and that was all the work you could get. Defendant: Yes. sir, I went to the waiting shed every day for work. The Magistrate: Do you smoke? Defendant: Yes, I do, a great deal. There are three children and the eldest is sixteen years old, and could earn something. Plaintiff's wife: That is not triie.

His Worship to defendant in tones of strong indignation: You come here and say you can't get work. If you are not ashamed of yourself you ought to be. When you got work you said it was too heavy. A hale and hearty man like you not able to get work! You are a disgrace to your sex! If you will not work out of gaol you will have to work in gaol. His Worshp convicted defendant and sentenced him to one month's imprisonment with hard labor. The sentence to be suspended if £lO was paid to the Clerk of Court, as part of arrears on the maintenance order, before December 23.