“BOGUS INSPECTOR”

Evening Star, Issue 19892, 14 June 1928, Page 11

“BOGUS INSPECTOR”

A NOVEL PROSECUTION CHARGE DISMISSED (Pm Okiim Pangs Assocuuoa.) CHRISTCHURCH, Juno 13

An unusual prosecution was conducted by tho Labour Department in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. William Brian was charged - that, on December 13, 1927, at Souibhriclge, lie falsely pretended to bo an inspector for the Labour Department. Tho evidence was that*a man called at the Sonthbridge Hotel on that date, representing himself as an inspector, and interviewed the staff regarding grievances as to wages, overtime, and. hours worked. They had grievances, but ho told them they were well treated, getting all the wages they were entitled to, and that they should bold on to their jobs. It was suggested by the prosecution that the man did this, to help the licensee, who was committing obvious breaches of the award. Other evidence was to the effect that the bogus inspector was Brian. The case was dismissed because the proceedings bad been instituted too late, five months after the offence, while the legal limit was three months. Counsel for Brian stated, however, that he had witnesses to prove that Brian was not tho bogus inspector.