BUTCHER FINED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 152, 29 June 1945, Page 7

BUTCHER FINED

GRADING MARKS REMOVED

PRICE ORDER EXCEEDED

The removal of grading marks from meat offered for sale, the exposing for sale for human consumption of meat not bearing grading marks, and the selling of a forequarter of mutton in excess of the price order, formed the basis of three charges admitted by Hugh Crawford, a butchery shop manager, in the Magistrate's Court today. Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., fined defendant £25 and £20 on the first and third charges, and entered a conviction on the charge of exposing unbranded meat for sale.

Mr. S. A. Cleal, who prosecuted for the Department of Industries and Commerce, said two of the informations were brought under the Board of Trade meat grading regulations, while the third was a breach of a price order. The sale of mutton which was second grade was made to a Price Tribunal inspector at 3/2, instead of 2/3.

The inspector to whom the meat was sold on February 23 last found four legs and five forequarters of mutton unbranded, said Mr. Cleal. The salesman in the shop said the brands had been rubbed off. The second grade meat bought by the inspector was actually sold at 4d in excess of the orice for first grade. "This is an isolated case," said Mr. Cleal. "I am informed by the Department that the butchers in the Auckland province are complying loyally with the regulations." Mr. Grant, for defendant, said the owner was on service in the R.A.F. Defendant, who took full responsibility, was shop manager, but. was paid only the award wage. There was little more that he could say.