UNWHOLESOME FISH

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 140, 13 June 1918, Page 8

UNWHOLESOME FISH

ACTION AGAINST "VENDOR.

"It is no \ifi-e talking about 'chilled' fist and fish 'fresh from the water.' The general public considers that fish is fresh if it smells all right," said' Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court this morning during a case in which Beatrice Nicol, manageress of the Central Fish Shop, Riddiford-street, was proceeded against by the police for selling unwholesome fish to one James Thomas. Inspector Marsack, shortly outlining the facts of the case, said that on 2ftth May the boy was sent by his mother to buy 6d worth of fish, and returned from the defendant's shop with some hapuku, which his mother considered to be quite unwholesome. The boy' was sent back to' ask that the fish should be changed ox 1 that the money should be returned. This tha defendant refused to do, and in the end a complaint was made to the police, and a ssrgeant and constable accompanied the complainant to the shop. The defendant had told them that she was bound by the persons who supplied her to sell the fish she received or return its value herself. The |ad and his njother and the sergeant of poKce and the constable gave evidence a« to the unwholesome condition of the fish, whidi all considered quite unfit for consumption.. . . For the defence, Mr. V. Willis called' evidence to show that the fish was not sold as "fresh" fish, for the boy was told that all the fish in the shop was out of the freezer. The fish was slightly darkened and a little watery owing to the chilling process, but was quite wholesome. The refrigerator was not on the premises, but the fish was brought to the shop each morning and afternoon. A supply of similar fish had b«en sent to the Home for the Aged Needy, and. a largo number of customers had been served over the counter, but no other complaint was made. It was impossible to obtain hapuku fresh from the water at the time in question, owing to rough weather at Island Bay. The Wellington Meat Export Company, which scored the fish, would accept nothing but thoroughly good fish, as one bad fish might spoil the whole amount stored.

The Magistitite held that the liability was on the defendant to make sure that fish sold 1 to customers was wholesome. He was satisfied that the fish Isold to the lad was not fit for consumption, and therefore entered a conviction, and imposed a fine of £2 and costs.