In Colonial Queensland, an employee could be prosecuted under the provisions
of the Hired Servants Act if they left the service of their employer without an
acceptable reason. Understandably, given
the harsh conditions of early settlement, this led to a procession of cases
though the courts of unhappy employees and employers.
One such case involved a cook engaged by George Thorne, the first
resident of Ipswich and landlord of the Queen’s Arms hotel. Thorne had originally come to the area as the overseer of a gang of convicts quarrying limestone, and stayed on as a free settler.
A BACCHANALIAN COOK.
- At the Police Office, on Thursday, Mr. George Thorne, of
the Queen's Arms, Ipswich, appeared before the Brisbane Bench, to prefer a complaint
against John Doyle, for absconding from his hired service on the 23th ultimo.
The defendant, who is one of those bloated pocket
editions of human nature, rarely seen in a hot climate, and whose countenance
indicated that he has been in the daily habit of sacrificing freely at the
shrine of the jolly god[1],
had only been in the service of Mr. Thorne three days, when he left the house,
taking his traps with him.
Chef Doyle insisted that he could not compromise his professionalism in
the service of Mr. Thorne at the Queen’s Arms, by working with inferior
ingredients.
The reason he assigned for leaving Mr. Thorne's service
was, that he would not cook for anyone who did not provide what he considered
proper requisites for the culinary department.
Among the articles enumerated by him were, essence of
cinnamon, pickles, mushroom ketchup, and sauces of various kinds; all these, in
the opinion of Mr. Doyle, were absolutely necessary to make a feed at all
palatable.
Thorne would have nothing to do with this complaint, accusing the
reluctant cook of never intending to remain in his employ.
Mr. Thorne informed the Bench that the fellow was an
imposter, for he could not cook at all. In fact, he had told him to his face
that he had not come from Sydney to work - his only object in hiring was that
he might take advantage of "Graham's Act," and poke fun at people in
this district.
The chef would not abide this attack on his character and his kitchen
skills, declaring that Thorne wanted him to work as a lowly dishwasher.
On hearing this, Mr. Doyle became very indignant, and
denied the charge in toto.
"You know," said he, addressing Mr. Thorne,
"that you gave me nothing but salt beef and potatoes to cook for you, and
what professional man of spirit would submit to such treatment. Besides, you
also know very well that you wanted me to wash the dishes. Do you think I would
submit to that?"
The court awarded him a return trip to Sydney along with three months
accommodation.
His professional appeal, however, had but little weight
with the Magistrates, and he was committed to the House of Correction in Sydney
for three calendar months.
The newspaper felt obliged to point out that this case highlighted the
poor quality of labour available to the good citizens of Ipswich.
We have reported this case more fully than, perhaps, is
warranted by the circumstances. Our object, however, is to show what kind of
servants the inhabitants of this district have to deal with. If we have not an
importation of labour shortly, it will be far better for the masters to
dispense with their assistance altogether. This man was hired by Mr. Thorne at
£35 per annum! After this, further comment is needless. [2]
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