LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9185, 27 April 1893, Page 3

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE Wednesday. [Before Mr. J. S. Clendon, R.M.] Drunkenness.— first offenders wcra each fined 5s and costs, or in default 24 hours' imprisonment. Ellen Aitkman was find 108 and costs, or 48 hours, and Fanny Best was fined 40s and costs, with the option of one month's imprisonment. The Factories' Act.—Robert Stow, being the occupier of a factory within the meaning of the Act, was charged with having) on Saturday, April 8, at the hour of half-past one p.m., employed certain females, Louisa Mitchell, Annie Wetheridgo, Rosina Wethericlge, Margaret Dal ton, and Ida Short. Defendant pleaded guilty. Mr. McAlister, appeared for Mr. Ferguson, the Inspector of Factories, and stated that he did not wish to press the charge. Defendant was fined 10s and costs. Joseph Elirman was charged with having, on Saturday, March 25th, committed a breach of the Factories Act by employing, at 3 p.m., certain boys under the age of 18 years, namely, William Sorners, Robert Heron, and William Henry Frost. Mr. T. Cotter appeared for the defendant, and pleaded not guilty. Ho said the boys had consented to work on the Saturday afternoon in question, and had been paid overtime. Mr. McAlistcr appeared for the Inspector of Factories. Robert Heron deposed that he was told to come back on the Saturday afternoon or that he would be discharged. Ho was paid a shilling for overtime. Tho other two boys also gave evidence as to working on the Saturday afternoon in question. Each of the boys stated that he was subsequently discharged for refusing to take fish to Mr. Ehrman's residence after hours. Mr. Ehrman stated that he put no pressure upon the boys to work. Two of them wore afterwards discharged for disobedience, in refusing to take tho fish home. The other boy left of his own free will. He gave them nothing extra for carrying tho fish, but sacked them because they did not do it. Mr. Cotter contended that if the boys camo back of their own free will, and were paid overtime, tho Act was not being violated ; but, even if a technical breach of the Act had been committed, he would ask the Cou:t to dismiss the case, as the charge was one that should never havo been brought. The Act stated that the boys might work over four hours and a-half on the half holiday. Mr. McAlistcr urged that the plain, common sense meaning of this section was that the employees could work without a break up till one o'clock on the Saturdays. Boys could not be ej/jployed in factories on Saturday afternoons. The Bench said that the real point was whether the boys could be legally employed on tho halfholiday. The Act said that they should not be so employed. However, as they had been paid well on this occasion, he would only impose a fine of 5s and costs. Maintenance.Charles Frederic Chase was ordered to pay 10s a week for the maintenance of his wife, Martha Chase. (Before Mr. S. V. Collins and Judpe Itogan, J.P.'s.l Alleged Indecent Assault.—Edward Latimer Clarke, on remand, was charged with having indecently assaulted a girl named O'Connor, over 12 years of age and undor 14. Messrs. C. E. Madden and C. E. Matthews appeared for the accused. The evidence for the prosecution was heard on the previous day. Evidence was called for the defence. Accused was committed for trial. Bail was allowedaccused in £50 and one surety of £50.