WORKING ON ANZAC DAY

Western Star, 8 May 1925, Page 3

WORKING ON ANZAC DAY

THREE FARMERS CONVICTED FIRST CASES IN DOMINION -« Charges of working on Anazc Bay, the first heard in New Zealand, were brought 'before Air E. B. Mosley, S.AL, in the Ashburton.Police Court on Friday. Robert Dalton, of Riverside,, Tomas Reddy, also of Riverside, and William Maxwell, of Beach Road, Ashburton, were each charged that they did 'work at their- trade and calling within view of the public by working their teams of horses an. Anzac Day; ths being a Sunday. Dalton pleaded guilty, and said be did not think of the seriousness of his action. H e was a poor struggling, farmer, behind in his work. The Afagistrate: But Anzac Day is more sacred than a Sunday..

Senior-Sergeant L. Jaskson stated] that he went ‘.into the country and saw Dalton working a team. In reply to the speaker he said the others were ploughing, and he thought he would do a little, too. The charges were laid under the legislation passed in 1922. ,

Defendant said he* had seventy acres of land and employed no men. He was ploughing a few acres for wheat. The Magistrate examined the Statutes, and said he was not too satisfied regarding the matter. The original Act was passed in 1920 and said that April 25 in each year shall he observed throughout, New Zealand in all respects as' a Sunday. Defendant was convicted and discharged. Leddy also pleaded guilty and was convicted and discharged. Senior-Sergeant Jackson said defendant had stopped work as soon as he was spoken to. Maxwell entered a similar plea, and was similarity dealt with.