DOMESTIC SERVANT PROBLEM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2803, 4 December 1907, Page 40

DOMESTIC SERVANT PROBLEM.

ACTION AOAINST AN EMPLOYEE. CHRISTOHURCH, December 2. A fresh development of the domestic servant problem was initiated in the court to-day. Mrs Georgina Maude sued Miss F. Bauden, domestic servant (who did not appear), for 12s damages for breach of contract. The statement of claim set out that an agreement was entered into on August 28 between plaintiff and defendant, whereby the latter entered the former's service as housemaid at 123 a week. The defendant failed to carry out the agreement, and plaintiff claimed one week"i vr.ges as damages. The evidence was to the effect that the defendant did not put in an appearance, and had taken oervice elsewhere. She was spoken to over the telephone, and told that either she must fulfil her engagement or forfeit a week's wages. The defendant agreed to pay the amount sued for. His Worship said the case was rather out of the ordinary. If every mistress " slipped up" by servants brought such cases, the court would have its hands full. He had himself engaged two servants in one week, and both failed to enter his employ. He asked plaintiff's counsel why the proceedings were brought. The reply was that it was an example to domestic servants generally, to show them that they could not with impunity disregard engagements. The money, if judgment Were given for the plaintiff, would be handed over to Nurse Maude's camp. His Worship said the action was perfectably justifiable. People were put to great inconvenience through servants failing to keep their engagements. Some check was r-ecessary. He blamed the registry offices for giving servants a list of five or six people wanting domestics. The girls went round those referred to selecting the positions which suited them best. A 6 defendant did not appear, he presumed there was no defence. Judgment 1 was given for the amount claimed, with 13s costs.

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