EARLY CLOSING CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 72, 24 March 1906, Page 4

EARLY CLOSING CASE.

The first cases brb.4ght under the early closing clauses of the ,sh.6ps and, [Office's. Act of _I|S'4 were heard ,ajt thei policejpoiurt A- j> S. Liimb and Salter i^wgon,.iheniists, 'were charged With failing to clbsje "Jhejr shops in the evening at xhfe libur fixed for the closing of such shpps. , . The.'iiWrges wjere brouglit tinder section .21 of ,the Ait, which ..provide* that ion ia requisition of .a"two-thirds majority of any jfcija.de pettoqping for the fixing of.la closing authority shall fix the hoifr tiecbrdihgly. In the case of tfheinists, eight p.m v /wa 8 i fixed as the closing hour, and defendants' 'shops werefound open half an, ihbur.TatWr- -.'

Lamb pleaded guilty and Dawson, who: did not appear, was .adjudged guilty onj the eviciimoß lof Mr. Le Crien, Assistant-; Inspector of Factories. . i

His Worship .pointed out that defendants were each liable to a fine of .£ 10, but these being .the first charges he? would not inflict a heavy fine. Ist future,! jhoweyer, he would inflict a very ;heavy» fine indeed. It was not so much an offence against the public as against those! chemists who complied with the law, an: advantage thus being taken of them. In each case a fine of £1 and costs-28/' was imposed.