CLAIM FOR OVERTIME

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 158, 5 June 1937, Page 10

CLAIM FOR OVERTIME

DECISION RESERVED

In the Magistrate’s Court at Hastings this week, Mrs M. Payne, sought to recover from D. Newbigin, brewer, of Hastings, formerly manager of the Mangatera Hotel, £192 8s 4d overtime while employed there for some time in 1936. Mr J. Miller, S.M., was on the Bench. Mr A. M. Onglev (Palmerston North) appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Hallet, ot Hastings, for defendant. Plaintiff, who is at present employed as a cook at an hotel in Fending, gave evidence that her husband was' appointed manager of the Mangatera Hotel in April, 193 b. During the first week she relieved the cook and did the laundry work, for which she was offered 10s per week. She refused the offer, but continued to relieve the other employees without any payment. On May 11 she was offered the position of cook-general, which she accepted. She did not- receive the full award rates, receiving £2 a week. A new award came in in June and she received £2 9s a week. When witness took over the position of cookgeneral the staff had been reduced to two, including witness and a house-maid-waitress. From August to September there had been ' ten regular boarders in the house. E. E. Payne, formerly licensee ot the hotel, also gave evidence. Kenneth Bayliss, registered accountant who acte'd as defendant’s representative, said in evidence that he had kept the books of the hotel, and described the arrangements made with Mr Payne for managing the hotel. When the Paynes went into the house the then cook was receiving £2 per week, and she had never made any claim for overtime. It was hoped that the business at the hotel would improve and that Mr Payne s wages would be increased, but unfortunately this did not materialise. He used to visit the hotel once a month. . Replying to Mr Ongley, witness said he had difficulty in getting Mr Payne to keep the records at the hotel accurately, particularly as to the hours worked. He was entirely unaware that Mrs Payne was working overtime He was never told that Mrs Payne Tiad never had her day and ahalf off each week. . Evidence waß also given by Mrs Newrick. wife of the present licensee, and Mrs K. Marsh, who had been employed as cook from December to Easter. , . . . ■ The Magistrate reserved his decision.