employee without the proper work papers.

Davis and Christensen Ltd. pleaded guilty to employing Steven Allen Wessel between June and October of 1994 without the authorisation of the Immigration Department.

A representative of the firm told court yesterday that the company had applied to the Minister for a work permit but had not resolved the matter before Wessel was employed.

The representative said that Davis and Christensen had hired him in the hope that his permit would eventually be approved.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis said: "Although there was no attempt at concealment, I see this a deliberate attempt to hire the employee without authorisation,'' he said. "I therefore impose a fine of $2,500.''