SELLING CIGARETTES TO A BOY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 269, 7 August 1920, Page 7

SELLING CIGARETTES TO A BOY

AN INTERESTING CASE. A lad under 15 years of age was seen by a policeman smoking cigarettes in the Kelburn Tramway shed. Tho lad was questioned, and eventually accompanied tho constable to Armit's tobacconist shop, and the constable asked the assistant if she knew the hid. She immediately recognised hiin and told the constable that he was employed at Millig.an's tailoring establishment, and often came to the shop lor tobacco and cigarettes for the tailors employed there. Mr, Armit, who heard the conversation, then confirmed what his assistant had said. On the strength of tliig Elsie Feat and R. W. Arnut were charged on six informations with- supplying the boy with cigarettes and tobacco, and the 'hearing of tho charges was taken in the Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr. J. S. Evans, S.M. Mr. O. C. Mazengarb appeared for A.rinitaiid furnished the details as above. He stated that nine'of'the tailors who had sent the boy at various times, to Armit's for tobacco signed a statement to that effect, and on the strength of t'his voluntary .information 21 summonses were issued. The nine tailors who had sent the lad to Armifs were charged with aiding and abetting in the supplying of tobacco and cigarettes. Mr. Mazengarb said ho was prepared to plead guilty to one charge if the others were withdrawn. Sub-Inspector Emerson said that he had brought the catie under instructions from his superior officer, and he would like to consult that officer, and the cases were accordingly adjourned until the afternoon. In tho afternoon Mr. Mazengarb, in asking" that the caso be ad'iourned focji week, said that the police officials were not willing to adopt his suggestion, as they desired to make a test of the matter, and argument, on tho legal aspects of the case would take some time. The adjournment was granted.