HOTELS AND THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12415, 13 March 1908, Page 5

HOTELS AND THE HALF-HOLIDAY.

(Per United Press Association}.

WELLINGTON, March 12.

At the Magistrate's Court, yesterday, Mr W. G. Rtddell, S.M., delivered judgment in the case o£ Aldridge v Burn and Beveridge. The Inspector of Factories charged the defendants, who are licensees of the Grand 'Hotel, with having failed to give, three waiters a half-holiday during the week ending January 25th. The three waiters were allowed a half-holiday in the week in question (race week), but owing to the hotel being, full and assistance therefore required, they were told by the head waiter that if they cared to return and work during the evening dinner hours each would be paid 5s extra, this being the award for casual labour for a dinner. No cofpulsion was used towards the men. Two of them returned and worked from 6 to 8 p.m., and then.- went off again. The other did not return. Mr Riddell said that section 20 of the Act of 1904 and the amending clause (section 3) of the Act of 1907 were specific on the point that every hotel assistant must get a half-holiday, and must take it. There was no provision in the Act empowering either employer or employee to enter into Ja contract outside of the Act, and tfierefore neither could do so. An offence had been committed by the defendants, but the employees were equally to blame in entering into the agreement. The defendants would be convicted and ordered to pay the Court costs (7s). Mr Levvy, who appeared for defendants, asked that security for appeal be fixed, in case his clients should desire to test his Worship's ruling. Security was fixed at .£lO 10s.