COURT CASE OVER WAITRESS’ WAGES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6915, 22 May 1929, Page 2

COURT CASE OVER WAITRESS’ WAGES

ALLEGED BREACH OF AWARD. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, beforo .Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., Joseph Lowden (Inspector of. Awards) proceeded against W. J. Wareham, licensee of the Railway Hotel for the recovery of £lO penalty for a breach of the Licensed Hotel Employees’ Award. Trie alleged breach was that Wareham had failed to pay wages duo without delay to a Mrs. Nocline Quigley. At the close of the case, on defendant agreeing to pay the amount of wages in dispute, £1 12s Gd, the Magisrtate, Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., gavo judgment for the defendant without costs.

In evidence, Mrs. Quigley statod that she had been employed by Wareham as a waitress for five months up till March 25 at a wage of 32s Gd a -week. On the day her employment terminated, she gave Mrs. Wareham the customary 48 hours’ notice. On being told tbmt she was doing a mean trick in leaving at such a time, words were exchanged, with the result that witness stopped work in the middle of breakfast and packed up. The stated reason for that course was that Mrs. Wareham had told witness that she could go then. On asking for her wages at the office, the money was not forthcoming. She had since called for her money, but would not accept the £1 3s 6d she was offered.

Mr. Rolling, for defendant, crossexamined witness at length as to the exact ivords used in conversation. Mrs, Quigley admitted that when she asked for her wages she was told there was a week due to her. Witness, however, was of the opinion that she was entitled to an extra two days, in lieu of notice.

Evidence as'to the exact words used was tendered by the barman at the hotel, whose breakfast was disturbed by the altercation. Plaintiff, J. Lowden, gave evidence as to interviewing the parties and statements made.

Defendant, from the box, sworn as to the circumstances and said that his instructions were that Mrs. Quigley should work out the 48 hours of notice.

After hearing Mr. Lowden on the law of the case, his Worship suggested the course finally adopted, which was accepted by both parties.