HOUSEMAIDS’ HALF-HOLIDAY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1053, 12 May 1910, Page 21

HOUSEMAIDS’ HALF-HOLIDAY.

AN INTERESTING JUDGMENT. A reserved judgment of considerable importance to hotelkeepers was given in the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday by Mr. G. C. Kettle, S.M., in the case of James Shanaghan, inspector of factories, v. S. J. Fleweilyn, licensee of the Royal Hotel, Victoria Street. The defendant was charged with failing to grant a half-holiday to four of his assistants from two o’clock in the afternoon during one working day of the week ending March 12, 1910. Mr. Kettle said the question to be answered was whether the defendant had failed to give the four housemaids in his employment the halfholiday to which they were entitled, or whether he had in any way, directly or indirectly, prevented them from taking such a half-holiday. The evidence conclusively showed that the defendant .had expressly told the housemaids that they were entitled to a half-holiday, and that they could arrange amongst themselves as to the day upon which each should be off duty. The evidence also showed that the girls were, as a rule, off duty from two o’clock until six o clock every week day. The defendant had had no complaints from them, and they were perfectly satisfied with the arrangements. Until these proceedings had been taken, the defendant had been entirely ignorant of the fact that on some occasions they may not have taken their half-holiday. It was clear to His Worship that the evidence was wholly insufficient to justify him. in convicting Ithe defendant of having failed to give a half-holiday. It was obvious that the defendant, in informing the girls that they were to arrange their days off amongst themselves, did all that could be reasonably expected of him. . The information was dismissed. Mr. F. Earl, who appeared for Mr. Flewellyn, did not ask for costs.