The post you are reporting:
The masters, in times past, virtually "owned" their apprentices, it was a contract.
Here are some more refs:
Richard BEAN, Runaway apprentice to Thomas BAX, carpenter/wheelwright of Denton
(Kentish Gazette Jan 22-26 1790 p.1 col.1)
Wm HULKE, Surgeon, Deal - advertising for an apprentice (Kentish Gazette Nov 9 - 12 1790 p.1 col.2)
Daniel MORPHEW apprentice of Wm MARLEN, cabinet maker - Wm MARLEN charged with assaulting him in St James parish Dover. Adjourned (Dover Telegraph 13.8.1836 p.8 col.3)
John PRITCHARDS, apprentice to Mr W. MOWLE, tailor. Police report, Dover: J.P. charged with disobedience during working hours. sentenced to 1-week in gaol (Dover Telegraph 17.3.1838 p.8 col.3)
Mr James SQUIER - Hairdresser, New Bridge, Dover - advertising for an apprentice
(Kentish Gazette Fri 5 Feb 1808 p.1 col.2)
John CORBETT currier, leather cutter, patten and heel-maker near the Market, Dover advert for an apprentice (Kentish Gazette Jan 12-15 1790 p.1 col.2)
Thomas Charles READ:
"absconded from the service of Mr Thomas HORN of Buckland, to whom they are apprentices, William HEDGECOCK, paper maker, 20 yrs of age, about 5'6" high, stout made, round face, of a hobbling gait and wears his own hair, short; Thomas Charles READ, papermaker, aged between 18 and 19 years, about 5'8" high, pale complexion, and wears his own short hair. If they will return to their master's service within a week from this day they will be received and forgiven. But after that time a reward of 40 shillings each will be paid on apprehending them and whoever harbours them after that day will be prosecuted."
(Kentish Gazette 8.1.1806, quoted in Folkestone Herald of 11.11.1950 page 4).