EMPLOYER FINED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22470, 14 July 1936, Page 12

EMPLOYER FINED

NINE-HOUR DAY EXCEEDED HAIRDRESSING ASSISTANTS [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent} GISBORN'E, Monday A fine of 10s, with costs 13s, was imposed by Mr. E. L. Walton, S.M.. in the Magistrate's Court to-day, on Lorn a Nicholson on each of two charges of working employees over periods permitted by legislation. She was charged with employing girls in excess of nine hours in a day and for more than five hours without a meal break. Mr. J. Hanlon, inspector of factories, said defendant was the occupier of a ladies' hairdressing saloon and jn June 8 had a rush of appointments. The assistants were employed from 8.30 a.m. until 7.40 p.m. They had received their luncheon interval, but none for an meal. Defendant, however, provided light refreshments. This was not an isolated case, defendant having been warned previously. Mr. L. T. Burnard, for the defendant, said one employee was suddenly taken ill. Tho appointments had been made and it was impossible to cancel them. Having one assistant short meant that the others must work extra time to keep pace with the work. Tho two offences were really aspects of the one which was due to special circumstances. Although the assistants were not provided with the usual evening meal hour break, Mr Burnard continued, they were given tea in the shop and iii addition to that morning and afternoon tea were provided by the establishment.

Mr. Hanlon added that the defendant might also have been charged with exceeding a 48-hour week.