Breach of the Factory Act

Messrs. Kilner Bros., glass bottle manufacturers, Conisbro’, were summoned for a breach of the Factory and Workshops Act, on the 19th ult. Mr. Hall appeared for the defence.

Mr. Hamilton Pye Smith, of Sheffield, said he appeared as the Government Inspector of Factories in support of an information laid under the 27th section of the Factories Act, 1878, against Messrs. Kilner Bros. The offence was that on the 19th March they employed a young person called George Silverwood without having procured a certificate of fitness from the surgeon as required by the 27th section of the Act.

Mr. Hall said there was no defence, but Mr. Smith went on with his evidence, and stated that on the 19th ult. he visited Messrs. Kilner’s establishment and found a boy named George Silverwood. Subsequently the lad said his name was Arthur Silverwood, for whom a certificate was held by the firm. Ultimately the lad stated that his name was George Silverwood.

Mr. Hall said Mr. Kilner was sorry that the affair occurred. The lad was over the requisite age, and there had been some slight neglect on the part of the firm.

The Chairman said there had been some underhand work on the part of the manager, for which Mr. Kilner was responsible.

A fine of 20s was imposed