ALLEGED WRONGFUL DISMISSAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 8322, 9 November 1887, Page 3

ALLEGED WRONGFUL DISMISSAL.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before E. Beetham, Esq., the case of Robertson v. the Press Company, Limited, claim £IOO for wrongful dismissal was resumed. Mr Martin for the plaintiff ; Mr Fisher for the defendants. The plaintiff’s case was continued. Samuel Perkins examined: Was in the employ of the Press Company at the time of the Foster machine being pub up. Witness was helping Robertson, and was dismissed at the same time. Robertson seemed to understand his work. Know that the machine had been tampered with. There was something wrong with tho bevel wheel; the pin had been put iu the wrong way. There was also sand in the bearings. There was great difficulty in starting the machine with the engines. Saw printing done with the machine,; jt worked...all right. Had worked in printers’ shops before in England. Witness was present at an interview tbat took place after the dismissal between Robertson and Mr Buckland. The latter said that he had orders to dismiss the plaintiff on the previous Tuesday. Cross-examined: Had been in the Colony fourteen years. Was feeding a ,f tumble ” machine at Home; it was not newspaper work. Was in the Press office about three months. Had not seen a machine fixed before ho saw the one at the Press Company. Witness called Robertson’s attention to tbe fact that the bevel wheel pin was in the wrong way. Did not know who put it in. This was on the Saturday night. Did not know whether the pin was in the wrong way on the Friday. He noticed Sand in the bearings before tho machine was completed. It was on. most of the cog-whecis; there was enough sand to do a lob of injury. Unpacked some .of the machinery in the yard. There was no sand there. A young man named Pat aaid he did nob know how the sand gob in. It took about ten minutes to clean the machine. Believed Robertson had to take a wheel off in consequence of the sand. The piece of wood found between tbe cylinders was about a foot and a half long ; it could have got there accidentally. It was about tho time the Directors wanted to see tho machine going that the plaintiff complained of deficient power of the to drive the machine. After-

wards the same power drove the machine, but not properly. Witness thought it was through want of power that the machine did not go satisfactorily. Re-examined: When, the machinery was unpacked it. was cleaned by witness and some other men before being fixed in the room. The case at this stage was adjourned until Nov. 14, to allow the witnesses to take their holiday.