WORK OF APPRENTICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19809, 2 December 1927, Page 14

WORK OF APPRENTICE.

TRAINING AS TRADESMAN. THE DUTY OF EMPLOYERS. CHARGE OF NEGLECT FAILS. An important judgment affecting the training - of apprentices in trades was given by Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, in a case in which a registered plumber, W. JCross, was charged by the district registrar of apprentices with failing to properly teach the trade to an apprentice during the past six months. The magistrate said there had been a general complaint by the apprentice that ho had been employed much of his time on work other than plumbing. The apprentice further complained that he had not liufliciently been kept working with a registered plumber, and that, lit particular, during th' 3 past six months he had not worked with a registered plumber at all.

" Under the apprenticeship order datea September 26, 1924, it is the duty of the employer to train and instruct the apprentice, or cause him to be trained and instructed, as a competent journeyman, said the magistrate. " The defendant says under this order it is not necessary for him to keep the apprentice employed with a registered plumber so long as he sees that he is trained and instructed, and he says hei gives personal super vision to the work the apprentice is doing.

" The evidence of the apprentice left the impression that whether or not he has acquired a satisfactory knowledge his training throughout his period of service has not received the consideration it should. With respect to the past six months it is impossible to say whether he has not benefited rather than otherwise from the extra responsibility thrown upon him." The magistrate gave judgment for defendant.