PETROL COUPONS NOT SUPPLIED

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23053, 22 June 1940, Page 3

PETROL COUPONS NOT SUPPLIED

PURCHASER FINED AT TIMARU [From Our Owq Reporter.] TIMARU, June 21. A charge of buying three gallons of petrol without giving coupons in exchange was brought against Robert Daniel Allan, of Kimbell, at a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at Timaru to-day before Mr H. Morgan, S.M. The case was the first of its kind heard in the district. When Allan failed to appear an interesting legal point was raised. The accused was liable on the charge to a penalty of £IOO or 12 months’ imprisonment, or both, and had the right to elect to be tried by a jury. After Mr W. D. Campbell, Crown Prosecutor, had quoted cases in .which accused persons had not appeared, the Magistrate held that as the Court could not extend the option to Allan in his absence the case must be proceeded with. Evidence was given by William C. Shaw, officer of the Oil Fuel Department, that Allan had a licence to purchase petrol in Fairlie. Hugh Morrison, director of the company which sold the petrol, said that Allan drove in and ordered nine gallons. When the tank was filled he gave coupons for six gallons and refused to give any more, informing witness he had done the same m other places on the way up from Queenstown. A fine of £5 was imposed.