Show Manager Fined For Unlawful Bill Posting

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27782, 6 October 1955, Page 15

Show Manager Fined For Unlawful Bill Posting

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

For displaying posters on buildings and fences contrary to a city council by-iaw—a practice described by Mr W. R. Lascelles as “commercial impertinence”—Joseph John Shannon, advance manager for the Great Franquin Show, was convicted and fined £2O on each of two charges by Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. On a third charge Shannon was ordered to pay costs.

Shannon was charged with displaying posters on or about September 12 on a building at 41 Victoria street, on a fence of Bailey’s Bakery, 327 Ferry road, and on the bus shelter at the Heathcote bridge. Mr Lascelles, who appeared for the City Council, said many complaints were received by the council from residents about the display of posters. “This man seems to have acted like a commercial bushranger with no regard whatsoever to the rights of the citizens,” said Mr Lascelles. Because of the unsightliness of Shannon’s work the council set about to remedy the position and the work had cost £l9 Us 7d to rectify so far. All the posters had not yet been removed. Evidence was given by Albert P. Millthorpe, a city inspector, that he had interviewed Shannon on September 13 and 14. Shannon promised to have the posters taken down, but those promises were not honoured. The Magistrate asked what the council could do to recover the cost of taking the posters down. Mr Lascelles said the council, under the by-laws, could proceed through the Courts in a civil action to recover the money. He did not think the present Court had any power to remit the amount spent by the council. Any

fines imposed would, however, go to the council.

“I can well understand the citizens complaining of the besmirching of the city in this way. because they take quite a pride in the condition and appearance of the city,” said the Magistrate. “I am gratified to know there is a City Council by-law which prohibits practices of this kind. I think the Court should firmly discourage conduct of this kind on the part of travelling show people,” he said. HOTEL LICENSEE FINED Norman James Wallace, licensee of the Heathcote Arms Hotel, was convicted and fined £2 on a charge that on January 21 he sold liquor after hours. The charge was heard before the Magistrate in January of this year, but because of certain complications that arose the Magistrate was allowed to state a case before Mr Justice Henry in the Supreme Court. The facts on that occasion were that Wallace had been granted leave of absence for four weeks, and had permission to allow George Sidney Edward Harliwich to manage the hotel during his absence. While the licensee was absent liquor was sold after hours. It was submitted by Mr W. F. Brown, who appeared for Wallace, that the licensee, having been granted leave of absence and permission to install a maager, was not liable—even vicariously liable. In a reserved judgment Mr Justice Henry held that Wallace was vicariously liable and the matter was referred back to the Magistrate’s Court for penalty. NO RETURNS OF INCOME

Robert Raymond Crofts was convicted and fined £3 for failing to make a return of income for the year 1953,