MILKMEN IN COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 206, 29 August 1918, Page 6

MILKMEN IN COURT.

A FINE AND A PROTEST. John 11. Harrison, who did not appear, waa charged at the l'oliee Court this morning that on July Sβ he Bold milk which contained 7 per cent of added water, and was 4 per cent deficient in non-fatty solids. Peter Shenton, Health Department Inspector, jjave evidence as to purchasing milk from defendant which waa analysed, and he produced the analysis showing that the milk was below standard as stated in the charge. Defendant said he had bought some milk that morning from the Farmers' Company, but two samples of that company's milk, taken that morning, proved to be above the standard. Defendant had been about twelve mouths in the milk-vend-

ing business. Ilia Worship fined defendant £20 and 19/6 costs.

Subsequently Mr. Hosking applied to have the case reopened. Counsel stated that he had been engaged to appear for defendant, but had been detained, and could not get to the Court earlier. He said defendant had an absolute reply to the charge, and his interests should not bo prejudiced by counsel's default. Tlis Worship stated that the ease had been heard, nnd he could not reopen it merely because counsel was late. Tho Court could not permit solicitors to appear late, and sny they liad been unavoidably detained. If" counsel could chow that defendant was unduly prejudiced by not beinfr represented, he could apply in writing for a re-hearing. Counsel said ho would take that course.

INSUFFICIENT NOTICE. <"Jeorpo Cruickshank and Edwardftl-ye were charged with selling milk which was below the standard.

Mr. Uickson, on behalf of the former defendant, applied to have the information struck out on the technical ground that fourteen days had not elapsed since the service of the summons on defendant and the date set down for the hearing. Counsel said that he had a good reason for making the application. The case had been set down for hearing a day earlier than it should have been.

His Worship agreed that technically the service was irregular, and that the case was not properly before the Court. He directed that the information should be re-served, and the case set down for hearing on September 26. Mr. Lancrty made a similar application on behalf of Edward Lye, with the same result-