CHARGE DISMISSED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 98, 28 April 1933, Page 8

CHARGE DISMISSED.

UNREGISTERED PRESS. INFORMATION WRONGLY LAID. A charge of keeping an unregistered printing press was brought _ against Harold Edgar Sharpe in the Police Court this morning. Defendant pleaded not guilty. William R. Hayson, called by the police, said he was foreman of works, employed by Sharpe at his printing establishment. Detective-Sergeant McHughSharpe prints the paper known as "Plain Talk. The issue of that paper on March 9 was printed by you under his instructions?— No. lam in charge of the printing of the paper. Detective-Sergeant McHugh: But you are employed by Sharpe?—Yes, but he is not necessarily responsible. Well, then, who gets the profits ? Robson, the publisher. • Who owns the press? —The Queen City. Press, Ltd. Evidence was then given by Cyril James Young, <;lerk in the Supreme Court, that until March 30 last no notice in. writing had been received by the Court that Sharpe had registered a printing press. On March 30 the press was registered. Detective Nalder said he interviewed Sharpe at his office on March 29 and asked to see Sharpe's certificate of registration. Sharpe showed witness a license issued .under the Stamp Duties Act. He admitted that he had not registered the printing press in the Supreme Court. Sharpe registered it the following clay. It was now registered as the Queen City Press, Ltd. "Why is Sharpe prosecuted?" asked the magistrate, Mr. W. R. McKean. Detective-Sergeant McHugh: The printing press was not registered until March 30. Evidence was given by Sharpe that ho was the managing director of the firm.' He said he had several other registratons made some time ago, but never knew he had to take out a registration in the Supreme Court. As soon as he found out his position he registered the press immediately. There was one other shareholder in the company, i Remarking that the company should have been prosecuted, and not Sharpe, i the magistrate dismissed the charge I against him.