POLICE COURT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9031, 13 March 1891, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

Thursday, March 12. — Before C. C. Kettle, Esq., R.M. EMPLOYMENT OV FEMALES ACl'. Newton King was charged with a breach of " The Employment of Females Act " by having three boys working in big butter factory after 2 o'clock on Saturday, Feb. 28. — Inspector Pardy explained that these cases were brought to remind employers of this sort of labor of the fact that the Act was in force. He did not wish to press for any heavy penalty. — Two of the informations were then withdrawn by Inspector Pardy for technical reasons. — His Worship said that the law provided for a heavy penalty for breaches of the Act, but as the Inspector of Police said that these cases wore brought in o r der to remind employers of girl and boy labor in workshops in a pacific manner of the Act and its provisions, he would only enforce a small fine, namely, 5s and costs, but for any future breaches he would inflict heavy penalties. — Mi King asked if boys could be employed for overtime. — His Worship said he could not advise Mr King, but he would suggest that he should buy a copy of the Act, which was not a large one. George Corke, furnisher, &c, was charged for the same offence on two informations, to one of which he pleaded guilty, and to the other not guilty. — Inspector Pardy withdrew one infoimation, which related to an errand boy. On the other information defendant was lined ss, and costs. Timothy Noonan, tailor, was also charged on two informations under tho same Act. He pleaded not guilty.— Sergeant DufKn gave evidence as officer for the enforce mentof The Employment of Females Act. — Lizzie Hartley, one of the girls employed by Mr Noonan, gave evidence that they knocked off work at 2 o'clock en the Saturday in questiou, but they loitered about afterwards. — His Honor dismissed this information, as he considered a breach of tho Act had not been proved. — The second information was also dismissed on the same ground, Inspector Pardy pointing out that it was rather a fine breach, if it was one, of the Act. Edward Snowball, manager of the Sash and Door Factory, was also charged in respect of one boy. — The defendant wanted to know if he could employ an errand boy. — His Worship replied ho could not advise, as ho was on the Bench to hoar tho charge. -Sergeant Duffin gave evidence, and the boy, Austin, employed at tho Fact ry, also gave evidence. — Defendant statod that the boy was employed as an errand boy, and as he could not be fully employed at that he did some work in the Factory. — The defendant was fined ss, and costs. William Perry was alao charged with employing one boy after 2 o'clock on the Saturday in question. — His Worship: Were you aware of the Act? — Defendant: No; that is tho trouble. — His Worship: Well, you are fined ss, and costs, and so you will know it. W. F. Brooking, builder, etc., was similarly charged in icspecfc of two boys. — M r Roy appeared for t le defendant, and pleaded the tochnical defence that the information was bad as there were two informations in one. — Mr Pardy said that the information was bad, but if Mr Roy relied on this then it would necessitate him laying two separate informations. Ue thought it would be better for the parties , concerned that the case should be settled '' now. — Mr Roy said in that case he would withdraw his objection, and pleac'ed guilty. — A fine of ss, and costs was inflicted William Christie, carpenter, was also charged with employing one boy after 2 o'clock on Saturday. — Alter evidence was given defendant was fiaed sa, und costs, John Abbott w« also glwrged with

respect of two boys. — Defendant pleaded j guilty, but in ignorance of the law. — Fiuerl ss, anrt costs. — Defendant : Well, youv Worship, one of the boys : (Moore) is going to bo married, and will he be considere 1 a boy then ?— His "Worship : Consult your solicitor (Laughter).— John Lashbrook and J. Fischer pleaded guilty to similar breaches, and were fined ss, and costs. Breach of By-law. — James Ramson was charged witb riding a bicycle on the footpath in Devon-street. — Defendant pleaded guilty, and was fined ss. and costs. — Walter Des Forges was charged with driving horses in Silver-street which were not in harness. — He was fined Is without costs, as 'ie was in ignorance of the law, and did so to oblige another person. The Court adjourned.