APPRENTICE'S CONTRACT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23177, 25 October 1938, Page 11

APPRENTICE'S CONTRACT

TERM NOT COMPLETED DISCIPLINARY ACTION TAKEN [Br TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] DARGAVILLE, Monday A claim fpr £lO against a youth, Robert Lionel Bradley, for committing a breach of his apprenticeship contract by absenting himself from work, was made by Mr. C. P. Collins, Labour Department inspector, in the Dargaville Magistrate's Court. Defendant was ordered by Mr. G. N. Morris, S.M., to pay £5 and lis 6d witnesses' expenses. " This action is taken as a disciplinary measure, as it is unfair to the employer for an apprentice to leave when he becomes useful," said Mr. Collins. George Henry Bartlett, builder, of Dargaville, said that defendant began working for him in 1936, when he commenced an apprenticeship of four years. He completed only two years when ho left. Defendant complained that ho was dissatisfied with an aspect of his employment. After a discussion defendant was still dissatisfied and eventually absented himself from work on July 7, 1938. In evidence defendant Contended that his employment did not enable him to learn his trade properly. To Mr. Collins defendant said he was now working elsewhere as a carpenter, for which ho was receiving a journeyman s wage. The Magistrate- If Mr. Bartlett has taught defendant in two years what should have taken four years and now the apprentice is earning a journeyman's wages, it speaks for itself. Although this lad ap(>ears to bo ambitious and wants to earn big money, I cannot look up >n his action with favour.