LICENSE CANCELLED.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20860, 20 May 1933, Page 3

LICENSE CANCELLED.

MAGISTRATE CRITICISES A BUSINESS. | (PA'-MS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM J DUNEDIN, May 19. ! Strong comment by the Magistrate (Mr H. W. Bundle), followed a case in which Zeta Benjamin was charged with receiving a diamond and pearl cluster ring valued at £l6, knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained. Her husband, Cyril Benjamin, a partner in the New Zealand Gold Buying and Smelting Company, was charged with purchasing the ring and failing to enter the name of the person from whom it was purchased. The evidence showed that the woman defendant was relieving her husband in the shop, as he was ill, and bought the ring from a youth for 10s. It was sent to Christchurch the next day with other gold purchased. Cyril Benjamin stated that when clients brought rings they were paid for the gold, and could have the stones back if they wished. The magistrate said that such a practice could be stigmatised only as a dishonest business, but, seeing that the woman was merely .acting temporarily as her husband's agent, he was loath to convict her, though if the husband were so charged he would have been convicted. The charge was dismissed. The husband was convicted on the minor charge against him, and was fined £5. His dealer's license was cancelled, Mr Bundle characterising the business as a menace to the public.