UNFAIR PACKING

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 November 1939, Page 10

UNFAIR PACKING

POTATO-GROWER FINED £2O.

WELLINGTON, November 3

Two bags of potatoes which were recently examined in a Wellington auction room disclosed good, even-sized potatoes for a depth of six inches, and small and inferior quality potatoes for the remaining 18 inches. Consequently Kala 1-lansji. a market gardener. of Pukekohe, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court to-day with unfairly packing potatoes. The S.M. (Mr AV. F. Stillwell) imposed the maximum fine of £2O and ordered payment of costs.

Mr. I. V. H. Inwood, fruit inspector of the Department of Agriculture, said that on October 13, in auction rooms in Wellington he examined two of a consignment of 47 bags of potatoes from the defendant. The potatoes in the tops of the bags did not fairly represent what remained. The bags which were examined produced good, even-sized potatoes for about six inches down, but the remaining 18 inches contained small and inferior potatoes. There was also a large quantity of dirt in the lower part of the bags, and no less than lli/ib of dirt was weighed I from the two bags examined.

The defendant did not appear, but sent a letter to the Court, in which lie stated I hat (he bags had been packed hy Maoris who were responsible I'T (he uneven packing.