MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28012, 5 July 1956, Page 6

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

WEDNESDAY (Before Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M.) SHORT MEASURE WOOD William McDonald, a wood merchant, failed to appear on a of a breach of the Weights and Measures Act in delivering firewood of short measure to Bruce Daniel on April 20. Mr R. J. Weir, who represented the Department of Labour, said defendant carried on a business as a wood merchant. The regulations clearly set out the requirements and this was the first charge of the nature brought by the department for 15 years. The charge was of interest and importance in Christchurch although it was the first for a good period. After reading an advertisement in a Christchurch newspaper complainant had ordered a cord of firewood which, when measured showed 54.6 cubic feet said Mr Weir. There was a definition in the regulations as to what a cord was, but the dictionary said a cord was 128 cubic feet or Bft by 4ft by 4ft. The defendant had not been charged previously although a complaint, before the present one, had been made to the department. Bruce Daniel said he had ordered a cord of wood from McDonald on April 20. His wife had paid £4, but had not received a receipt. When he saw the wood witness did not think he had received a cord of wood and after attempting to make contact with McDonald he had complained of the shortage to an inspector of Weights and Measures. It was slab wood and hnd not been touched by witness. To the Magistrate witness said 128 cubic feet made up a cord. The Magistrate: That was wellknown in our day, but I am not so sure it is so well known by the present generation.

Bruce McMillan, an inspector of Weights and Measures, said he had measured the slab wood delivered to Daniels and found that it measured 54.6 cubic feet. He had called on defendant and explained to him the requirements of the act. but McDonald had s al d his driver had left his yard with a full cord of wood. He had had trouble with his driver, witness said. A number of complaints had been received by his department and there appeared to be a growing tendency bv wood dealers to give short rations. . f,ne of £l ° and ordering McDonald to pay costs the Magistrate said this was a very gross breach, and nothing like the quanw<io<?. order ed and paid for had been delivered. UNPROTECTED MILK

n f F °^:n Sing , vehicles /or the delivery nrntTj .h not -,P r ?P el ‘ ! y equipped to Rroteot the milk from the sun’s rays. William Albert Ball and William McKay Duncan were each fined £2 The charges were brought by the Health Department. LICE-INFESTED SHEEP For expposing for sale sheep inrested with lice, Annie Te Kiri Kamo was fined £2.

IMPRISONMENT FOR ASSAULT Remus Gordon Lilley, aged 50, a labourer, pleaded guilty to charges of being found drunk, of assaulting Arthur Lilley, and of a breach of his prohibition order on July 3. Sub-Inspector C. H. Reardon said accused had assaulted his brother without any provocation. Because of excessive drinking he had been prohibited in December, 1955, but had disregarded the order. He would not pay for his board but preferred to spend the money on drink. The refusal of his brother to give him money with which to buy drink was possibly the reason for the assault. The Magistrate told Lilley that his 23 previous convictions for various offences had not had the desired effect. He had taken no notice of prohibition orders and fines had had no effect. On the charge of assault, Lilley was sentenced to imprisonment for 14 days and convicted and discharged on the other two charges. REMANDED On a charge of indecent assault ona male on June 21, Roy Francis Kerr, aged 40. a presser, was remanded to July 9. BREACH OF PROBATION John Edward Harding, aged 54, a farm-worker, was fined £lO for a breach of the conditions of his probationary licence in that he failed to report as directed.