WELLINGTON ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 June 1922, Page 3

WELLINGTON ITEMS

DEFENDANT AND S.M.

"Special to the Star.)

WELLiJNGTUiN, June to. It is seldom that a defendant is permitted to dictate the amount of his fine but Ernest Hadley who was before Mr Hunt, S.M., for having allowed a cow to wander on the road, was within an ace of being accoraVl that privilege. Hadley’s previous convictions for allowing stock to wander numbered something like 37, but the circumstances in this case were “different” he asserted, and when the Bench having heard his. story decided that the fine would be 40/- with costs, Hadley was not satisfied. “Couldn’t you make it more?” he asked the Magistrate. Mr Hunt: Yes, I’ll make it £5 if you like. Fined £5. Hadley was so sure that the case wa s “different” that he. presumed to argue still. “Ono minute,” said the S.M. interrupting, “I’ve listened to you patiently up to now, another word and I’ll put von under arrest (as Hadley continued). Take charge of him,, will you, Sergeant, till the end of the sitting?” Defendant was a prisoner till the Court had concluded all its remaining business. When it had done so, the Magistrate asked him what he had to say in explanation of his insolence. Mr Hadley: I consider this is a very, very mean case to take up against me. Mr Hunt: I’m not talking about that, but about your being insolent

to me. Apologise to me and I’ll let you go. Hadlev : I do apologise, but Mi- Hunt : Very well. now. that will do. Do you still want me to fine you £5? Hadlev: I’d sooner it was 10/-. Mr Hunt: You’re fined 40/-. I’ll fine you £5 next time, at any rate. EXPORTS FOR U.S.A. By the s.s. Marama from San Francisco, the American Consul-General. Air D. F. Wilbur, received a letter from the Department of State (U.S.A.) in which it was stated that considerable difficulty had been encountered at various ports of entry in the United States in the enforcement of provisions requiring that all goods imported into the country should show i lie country of origin, and this had led to a great deal of congestion of detained merchandise at, the larger ports because of non-compliance with marking of the goods. At the port of New York, it was stated, that upwards of 1000 packages of merchandise per month were being withheld from delivery for that, reason by the Customs Department. New Zealand exporters to the Uni led Slates require to bear this in mind. CUSTOMERS’ DEPOSITS. The question of private companies accepting deposits for fixed periods, or at short call, is one that must receive close attention very soon, says the •‘•Dominion.” It is suggest'd that those companies accepting such deposits should issue quarterly returns showing how much of the money of the public they hold. The banks have to publish quarterly abstracts, and they could reasonably urge that it is only fair that others receiving deposits should have to act similarly. Then again the companies and firms accepting deposits should, it is suggested, bo required to maintain a metallic reserve just, as the banks are obliged to do. Some companies, to conceal the amount of the deposits, in their include these with other items, and this appears to be a growing practice. 'Where the shares of a company are quoted on the Stock Exchange 'it is not fair to investors that, there should be such concealment.

- DEARER BUTTER.

Butter of standard brands was advanced Id a pound to-day by the factories supplying the’ Wellington market in sympathy with the- London prices. It is' now 2/- per lb retail or 1/9 in bulk, and 1/10 in pats wholesale. Op the other hand owing to keen local competition some retailers who buy direct are still selling first grade creamery at I'B, and super grade at 1/9 and they will continue to do so until notice to the contrary is given. Some idea of the magnitude of the local butter trade may be gathered from the Government figures as compiled by the Imperial Supplies Department. The consumption in 191718 was 21,280,478 lbs, 1918-19 25,142 - 8801bs; 1919-20, 36,402,0361b5. Taking the consumption at 36,000,0001b5, a rise of one penny per pound last week and another penny to-day will make a further increase in the annual housekeeping outlay on butter of £300,000. The price does not look like stopping whore it is, but those familial- with tho London market regard the present high rates as temporary, but so far as the local market is concerned, it is expected that tho demand will slacken at the high rates ■Shipments of New Zealand butter,’ according to the Trade Review, that should have been recently discharged, be discharging, or' are presently" to bo landed, are as follows .* Remuera, 45,800 boxes ; Durham, 8133 ; .Dorset 47.048; Tainui, 2667; Tort Denison’ 1972; AVaimana, 43,265; Cornwall 13.680; Port Pirie, 4986; Mahia 49 - ; /, C n Voodarra ’ 15 > 018 : total boxes