PRINTERS AND NEWSPAPERS' REGISTRATION ACT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 22, 27 January 1898, Page 5

PRINTERS AND NEWSPAPERS' REGISTRATION ACT.

A HEAVY FINE.

At the S.M. Court this morning, before Mr H. W. Brabant, S.M., the adjourned case was heard against Chas. F. Spooner that on 18th January last, at Auckland, be unlawfully did publish a certain leaflet entitled " The New Telephone," and 24 copies thereof, in which said paper and copies, respectively, the name and place of abode of tho printer thereof was not then printed as required by "The Printers and Newspapers Registration Act, 18GS."

Mr MeAlister appeared for the informant, Thus. Foley, and Mr Theo. Cooper for defendant.

Mr Cooper said he was not prepared to say that His Worship's reading of the Act, viz., that it imposed a minimum penalty of £5 in respect of each copy of the pamphlet published, was incorrect. He asked that as the informant was entitled under the Act to one-half of the penalty costs should not be allowed, and that a month's time be granted for payment. Mr McAlister, with reference to the remarks made by him when the case was lastlefore the Court to the effect that if the name of the author of the pamphlet were disclosed, and he was a man of substance, the prosecution would consent to withdraw part of the charge, stated that he had since learned that lie (the author) was a man of straw, and nothing could be gained by any proceedings against him. He agreed to give a month to pay the line but could not consent to any further concessions.—His Worship said that since he expressed the opinion that the law required a minimum penalty of£s for each copy, he had seen no reason to alter it, ami lined defendant £120 for 24 copies of the publication and allowed the time requested, but under the circumstances he stated that costs would not be awarded, the informant being entitled to half the penalty.