Department To Pay Baker’s Costs

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31771, 30 August 1968, Page 20

Department To Pay Baker’s Costs

(New Zealand Press Association)

NAPIER, August 29.

The Minister of Labour (Mr Shand) has instructed the Labour Department to pay the legal costs of Mr F. V. Harrison, the Hastings baker who was unsuccessfully prosecuted by the department on July 16 for selling overweight bread.

The department charged that loaves baked by Mr Harrison w’ere an ounce heavier than that permitted. Dismissing the charge, the Magistrate, Mr W. K. L. Dougall, said that it staggered him to think that somebody could be prosecuted for giving more than the regulations required.

The legal firm acting on behalf of Mr Harrison. Simpson, Bate and Wane, advised Mr Harrison today that after correspondence with the Minister, the Labour Department had been told to pay the legal costs involved in the Court case.

The solicitors had passed on various comments on the Weights and Measures Regulations, and the Minister had accordingly asked the department to make a close study of the law regarding bread weight. “This will probably prevent any possibility of future trouble from the department," the solicitors told Mr Harrison.

Commenting this morning, Mr Harrison said: “I suppose I should be satisfied now. it hasn’t cost me anything.”