Servants' Caps.
In the Westminster County Court the other day, Judge Bayley disposed of an important point affecting employers of female domestics. Mary Chappell, a domestic, sought to recover nine days' wages, at the rate of 16s a week, from a Mr Kennedy, her late master. Plaintiff proved the engagement by defendant's wife, and said she was discharged because she refused to wear a cap. Defendant said that when he engaged the plaintiff no mention was jnade of the dress she was to wear, but he took it as a recognised thing between mistresses and servants that the latterhadto wearcaps. The plaintiff, among other things, hadtoopenthedoorto visitors, and lie could not allow a capless maid to answer his door. He dismissed the plaintiff' for disregard of lawful orders. His Honor: What were the lawful orders ? Defendant: That she should wear a cap. His Honor : I do not think she was bound to wear a cap. Defendant: It is a recognised custom for servants to wear caps. Plaintiff said she never refused to do her work, but she did emphatically refuse to wear a cap. She was dismissed after she gave notice to leave. She was with the idefendant nine days. His Honor thought the plaintiff was entitled to her wages, and gave judgment- accordingly, with costs.
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Bibliographic details
Oamaru Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 5084, 21 September 1891, Page 3
Word Count
216Servants' Caps. Oamaru Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 5084, 21 September 1891, Page 3
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