PROVISION OF LODGINGS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7444, 19 May 1911, Page 7

PROVISION OF LODGINGS

SUCCESSFUL CLAIM FOE. EXTEA WAGES. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Dr A. McArthur, S.M., Henry Alexander North Webber, of Thorndon quay, Wellington, cook, claimed from Beatrice Amy Fiunock, of the Arcadia Private Hotel, Wellington, hotel proprietress, the sum of 10s, being two weeks (ending April 27th, 1911) extra wages in lieu of lodging accommodation while employed by the defendant as chef at the Arcadia Hotel. Mr A. H. Hindmarsh appeared for Webber, and Ivhr Samuels for defendant. Mr Hindmarsh said the case raised a very important point so far as cooks and waiters were concerned. ■Webber slated that when he went to work at Pinnook’s he was shown by Mrs Pinnock to the storeroom, where he was told he could change hie clothes, but nothing was said about accommodation. He got sick of that and went down into tho boys’ room. There was a bed in one of the rooms, but that was sometimes used by Mr Pinnock’s brother and a motorman. He was paid £3 15s a week, and was entitled to 5s a week lodging allowance. When witness went to’ Mr Pinnock for the money he would not. give it, saying if he wanted it ho could have his remedy. When ho was leaving, Mrs Pinnock said that if she had known she could have given . witness accommodation upstairs. Mr Samuels said tho defence was that lodging was accepted and made use of.. George Pinnock, husband of defendant, said that ho asked plaintiff if ho was a married man, and Webber replied that he was and would sleep at home. Plaintiff asked witness about the wages, and he said that there was no option, and he would have to give the award wages. Cross-examined by Mr Hindmarsh, witness said there were three beds in the room downstairs. He would swear there was a bed for plaintiff. He could not understand why the man was not taken upstairs to change. John Hosier, an employee of Air Pinnock’s, also gave evidence. His Worship said he found that there was no suitable accommodation provided for plaintiff. ' One of tho first principles was that employees should always be well looked after. Judgment was for plaintiff, with costs 6s-