ENEMY ALIEN'S DEAL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 154, 1 July 1944, Page 7

ENEMY ALIEN'S DEAL

REHEARING OF CASE

MAGISTRATE REDUCES PINE

On June 9, in the Police Court, an enemy alien, Helen Baldwin (57), appeared before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., and pleaded guilty to a charge that on May 20, 1943, being an alien, with intent to deceive, she made a false or misleading statement for the purpose of the Aliens Land Purchase Regulations, 1942. She pleaded guilty, and in fining her £400, which he ordered was to be paid forthwith, in default three months' imprisonment, the magistrate said he imposed the penalty to deprive her of the profit made from the transaction and also to inflict some punishment. Qn that occasion it was stated by the police that defendant had made a pjroflt of £300 by the sale of a city dwelling she had bought solely for the purpose' of resale. » Yesterday an application for a rehearing of the case was made by Mr. Peter Jenkins on behalf of Mrs. Baldwin, on the grounds that a profit of £300 had not been made. Mr. Jenkins said that at the time of the hearing of the charge there was no evidence brought concerning the profit; made. "Since the first hearing I have obtained evidence that the profit made was only £74 14/3. and the solicitor who had acted for Mrs. Baldwin can produce statements as proof of the small profit made," he added. There being no objection by the police to the application for rehearing, Mr. Luxford granted it. After evidence had been given by a solicitor, the magistrate said it was now clear that a profit of £300 had not been made. "However, I am not going into the fine distinctions of the balance-sheet," added Mr. Luxford. "I will allow defendant £100 off. Therefore the firte will be £300. I will make an order for immediate, payment,- in default three months' imprisonment.'