Derbyshire Advertiser & Journal 11 Aug 1893

PETTY SESSIONS, Saturday.
Before W. B. Badnall (chairman), J. Simpson, T. O. Farmer, and G. M. Bond, Esqrs.

EMPLOYER AND WORKMAN.— William Cole, farm labourer, was summoned by Thos. Wm. Mellor for neglecting and refusing to do his proper work, on the 19th July and other dates, whereby he caused a loss to his master. Mr Mellor claimed £2 as damages.— Mr. Matthews appeared for plaintiff.— Mr Mellor said he was a farmer at Shirley, and also kept the Saracen's Head Inn. He hired defendant at the Burton statutes last Michaelmas, for a year, at the wage of £15 a year. He came on October 11th. When first defendant came he worked very well, and witness had no fault to find with him. When the cows came into millk about the spring he had a very great deal of trouble with him. He did not milk properly, and he (witness) had milked a cow after him, and got as much as two quarts from it. On one occasion he was sent to do some scuffling in the field, and he lost the share off the machine, and this had never been found. On July 8th he absented himself, and left the cows unmilked. On Sunday, 23rd, defendant came to Ashbourne about 9 o'clock in the morning. He left the cows, and witness had to milk them (fourteen) himself. Defendant did not come home that night at all, but he saw him next morning. He was covered with hay seeds and had a black eye. Defendant ought to have gone to Derby that day with grains, but owing to his condition, witness would not allow him to go, and discharged him. He frequently used very bad language to witness, and he was continually staying out late at nights. Witness said he had sustained a loss through defendant being absent when the corn should have been cut.— The defendant, having been sworn, said that the time agreed upon as working hours were from 5.30 in the morning till 5.30 in the evening. His master kept him working till late every night, and was always grumbling at him. He had always done his best, and denied ever doing any wilful damage to the property of his employer. He had since got another place.— The Bench thought that the defendant's conduct was such as justified Mr. Mellor in dismissing him, and allowed him £1 10s. as damages, the defendant to pay the costs.