THE SERVANT QUESTION.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 280, 4 December 1907, Page 2

THE SERVANT QUESTION.

CURIOUS CASE AT CHRIST-

CHURCH.

Per Press Association,

Christchurch, December 2. A fresh development in the domestic servant problem was initiated in the Court tb-day, when Mrs Georgina Maude sued Miss Bander, a domestic servant, who did not appear, for 12s damages for breach of contract. The claim set out that an agreement was entered into on August 28th between plaintiff and defendant whereby the former was to enter the latter's service as housemaid at 12s per week. The defendant failed to carry out the agreement, and plaintiff claimed one week's wages damages.

Defendant did not put in an appearance, and it was stated that she had tak3n service elsewhere. She was spoken to over the telephone, and told either to fufll her engagement or forfeit a week's wages. The defendant agreed to pay the amount sued for. ' His Worship said the case was rather out of the ordinary. If every mistress "slipped up" by servants brought such cases the Court would have full hands. He had himself engaged two servants in one week, and both failed to enter his employ. He asked plaintiff's counsel why the proceedings had been brougiifi, and counsel replied that it was intended as an example to domestic servants generally, to show them they could not with impunity disregard the engagements. The money of the judgment for plaintiff would be handed over to Nurse Maude's Camp.

His Worship said the action was perfectly justifiable. People were put to great inconvenience through servants failing to keep tlieir engagements, and some check was necessary. He blamed registry offices for giving servants a list of five or six people wanting servant girls. They went round to those referred to, selecting the position which suited them best. As defendant did not appear, presumably there was no defence. Judgment was given for the amount claimed, with 13s costs.