UNREGISTERED PLUMBER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18530, 15 October 1923, Page 8

UNREGISTERED PLUMBER.

PROSECUTION AND FINES. TUX TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] . HAMILTON. Saturday. A case of importance to those engaged in the plumbing trade was heard in the Hamilton Magistrate's Court to-day when Leonard Ewen; registered plumber, was charged with employing an unregistered plumber, Walter Fitzgerald, on sanitary connections. Fitzgerald was also charged with doing tho work while unregistered. Evidence was given by. a borough inspector that ho saw Fitzgerald fitting a sanitary pipe. Counsel for defendants said that Fitzgerald, who had had 18 years' experience,' was merely preparing work for Ewen, who was the registered plumber on the job. - • ■:[ Counsel for the Borough Council said that .while an apprentice could be in attendance on his master, learning the trade, it was not competent for an unregistered journeyman to be in attendance and to assist in such work. . Ewen said he had not been able to secure a registered plumber. Fitzgerald was only assisting him. Fitzgerald said, ho had not. registered because he had not had an opportunity to sit for his examination. He' intended to sit toward the end of the year. The magistrate, Mr. .11. A. Young, said tho whole object of the Act was to ensure that plumbing work in connection, with sanitary fittings was done only by a registered plumber and by him• personally. It was clear that the defendant Fitzgerald was doing sanitary plumbing.' Each defendant would be convicted and ordered to pay 7» costs. ' " , ' Counsel said the case was of the greatest importance to the whole plumbing trade and especially to journeymen and apprentices. On his request a fine of £5 Is was imposed in each case to enable an appeal to be lodged if considered necessary.